cull

3 synonyms for cull, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To select or pick something out from a larger group.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

pick

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

reject

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

pluck

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To select or pick something out from a larger group.

“The editor culled the best quotes from the interview.”

pick reject pluck

2. noun

The organized killing of selected animals to control numbers.

“Officials ordered a cull after the disease spread through the herd.”

reject

How to use cull

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

cull the herd cull data ordered a cull

Etymology

From Old French cuillir ("to gather, select"), from Latin colligere ("to gather together") — the same root as "collect."

Full origin of cull →

Frequently asked questions

What does “cull” mean?

The word “cull” means to select or pick something out from a larger group. In plain terms, to pick out or thin down a group — often used for reducing animal populations, but also for trimming a list down to the best items.

How do you pronounce “cull”?

“Cull” is pronounced kuhl (/kʌl/ in IPA).

How do you use “cull” in a sentence?

Here is “cull” used in a sentence: “The editor culled the best quotes from the interview.”

What part of speech is “cull”?

Depending on how it is used, “cull” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “cull” come from?

The word “cull” comes from Latin. From Old French cuillir ("to gather, select"), from Latin colligere ("to gather together") — the same root as "collect.".

How many meanings does “cull” have?

“Cull” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to select or pick something out from a larger group.

People also searched

pick reject pluck

Nearby words

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