cultivate
KUHL-tih-vayt
Cultivate (verb) means to prepare and use land for growing crops. Example: “The family has cultivated this land for three generations.”
verb
1
To prepare and use land for growing crops.
"The family has cultivated this land for three generations."
2
To develop or improve a skill, relationship, or quality over time.
"She worked hard to cultivate good relationships with her clients."
How to use cultivate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo grow crops on land, or more broadly, to nurture and develop something over time.
Common pairings
cultivate crops
cultivate a relationship
cultivate a skill
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like cultivate.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Third person singular
- cultivates
- Past tense
- cultivated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The family has _____ this land for three generations.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin cultivare ("to till"), from Latin cultus, from colere ("to till, tend, cultivate").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for cultivate
See all rhymes for cultivate →Frequently asked questions
What does “cultivate” mean?
The word “cultivate” means to prepare and use land for growing crops. In plain terms, to grow crops on land, or more broadly, to nurture and develop something over time.
How do you pronounce “cultivate”?
“Cultivate” is pronounced KUHL-tih-vayt (/ˈkʌltɪveɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “cultivate” in a sentence?
Here is “cultivate” used in a sentence: “The family has cultivated this land for three generations.”
What part of speech is “cultivate”?
“Cultivate” is a verb.
Where does the word “cultivate” come from?
The word “cultivate” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin cultivare ("to till"), from Latin cultus, from colere ("to till, tend, cultivate").
Is “cultivate” a common word?
“Cultivate” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “cultivate” have?
“Cultivate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to prepare and use land for growing crops.
