verb
fertilize
FUR-tih-lyz
Fertilize (verb) means to add nutrients to soil to help plants grow better. Example: “She fertilizes the vegetable patch every spring.”
verb
1
To add nutrients to soil to help plants grow better.
"She fertilizes the vegetable patch every spring."
2
To join with an egg cell to enable reproduction; to inseminate.
"A single sperm is enough to fertilize the egg."
How to use fertilize
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo feed soil with nutrients, or to join with an egg to start reproduction.
UK vs US
British English often spells this "fertilise."
Common pairings
fertilize the soil
fertilize the egg
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- fertilizes
- Past tense
- fertilized
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ the vegetable patch every spring.
Etymology
From French fertiliser, from fertile.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for fertilize
See all rhymes for fertilize →Frequently asked questions
What does “fertilize” mean?
The word “fertilize” means to add nutrients to soil to help plants grow better. In plain terms, to feed soil with nutrients, or to join with an egg to start reproduction.
How do you pronounce “fertilize”?
“Fertilize” is pronounced FUR-tih-lyz (/ˈfɜː(ɹ)tɪlaɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “fertilize” in a sentence?
Here is “fertilize” used in a sentence: “She fertilizes the vegetable patch every spring.”
What part of speech is “fertilize”?
“Fertilize” is a verb.
Where does the word “fertilize” come from?
The word “fertilize” comes from French. From French fertiliser, from fertile.
How many meanings does “fertilize” have?
“Fertilize” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to add nutrients to soil to help plants grow better.
