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verb B1 Intermediate Uncommon

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 notes

In 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

Word forms

cultivated past tense, cultivates singular

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The family has _____ this land for three generations.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin cultivare ("to till"), from Latin cultus, from colere ("to till, tend, cultivate").

Origin: Medieval Latin

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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial