civet

noun

civ·​et ˈsi-vət 

1

: any of various Old World carnivorous viverrid mammals with long bodies, short legs, and a usually long tail

2

: a thick yellowish musky-odored substance found in a sac near the anus of the civet (especially genera Civettictis, Viverra, and Viverricula) and used in perfume

Illustration of civet

• civet 1

Examples of civet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At another point in the video, a giraffe appears, reaching for a treetop, while there's also footage of a civet enjoying a snack and a porcupine displaying its quills. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025

The animals are caged and fed the coffee cherries on farms that produce civet coffee. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024

The survey also recorded civets, wild boars, other squirrel species, several rat and shrew species, a variety of bats and a mongoose. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2025

This slightly masculine fragrance opens with zesty bergamot, then gets grassy and a little dirty thanks to the notes of vetiver and synthetic civet musk. —Emily Orofino, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French civette, from Old Italian zibetto, from Arabic zabād civet perfume

First Known Use

1532, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing civet

• civet cat

Rhymes for civet

• pivot
• privet
• rivet

Kids Definition

civet

noun

civ·​et ˈsiv-ət 

1

: a thick yellowish strong-smelling substance obtained from the civet cat and used in perfume

2

: civet cat

Medical Definition

civet

noun

civ·​et ˈsiv-ət 

1

: civet cat

2

: a thick yellowish musky-odored substance found in a pouch near the sexual organs of the civet cat and used in perfume