verb
C2
Proficient
cull
kuhl
Cull (verb) means to select or pick something out from a larger group. Example: “The editor culled the best quotes from the interview.”
verb
1
To select or pick something out from a larger group.
"The editor culled the best quotes from the interview."
2
To reduce the number of animals in a population by killing some of them in a controlled way.
"The park had to cull the deer population to protect local plants."
noun
1
The organized killing of selected animals to control numbers.
"Officials ordered a cull after the disease spread through the herd."
How to use cull
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo pick out or thin down a group — often used for reducing animal populations, but also for trimming a list down to the best items.
Common pairings
cull the herd
cull data
ordered a cull
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Word forms
- Plural
- culls
- Third person singular
- culls
- Past tense
- culled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The editor _____ the best quotes from the interview.
Etymology
From Old French cuillir ("to gather, select"), from Latin colligere ("to gather together") — the same root as "collect."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for cull
See all rhymes for 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.
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