cultivate

verb

cul·​ti·​vate ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt 

cultivated; cultivating

transitive verb

1

: to prepare or prepare and use for the raising of crops

Some fields are cultivated while others lie fallow.

also : to loosen or break up the soil about (growing plants)

2

a

: to foster the growth of

cultivate vegetables

cultivate coffee

b

: culture sense 2a

cultivate oysters for pearls

c

: to improve by labor, care, or study : refine

cultivate the mind

… cultivated a reputation as a hard-core wheeler-dealer …

—Kit Boss

3

: further, encourage

cultivate the arts

4

: to seek the society of : make friends with

looking for influential people to cultivate as friends

cultivatable

ˈkəl-tə-ˌvā-tə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms of cultivate

• develop
• acquire

Examples of cultivate in a Sentence

Prehistoric peoples settled the area and began to cultivate the land.

Some of the fields are cultivated while others lie fallow.

a plant that is cultivated for its fruit

They survived by cultivating vegetables and grain.

He has carefully cultivated his image.

She cultivated a taste for fine wines.

Recent Examples on the Web

The storytelling is as important as the mise-en-scène—the bar is named for the poet-boxer Arthur Cravan, who spent his life cultivating a mysterious, unconventional persona. —Mary Winston Nicklin, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026

Established in 2015, with Australian artist Ed Davis (who has since departed in 2024), the brand has cultivated a cult following for its line of ready-to-wear and accessories. —Diana Tsui, Footwear News, 30 May 2026

Prepare a planting bed at least 5 to 6 feet (preferably 10 feet) in diameter and cultivate it to a depth of 10 to 12 inches. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 30 May 2026

But Ferrari has been looking to cultivate a new generation of wealthy customers, notably tech entrepreneurs in hubs such as Silicon Valley, where Vigna worked for years as an executive at a chipmaker before taking the reins at Ferrari in 2021. —Phil Wahba, Fortune, 29 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin cultivatus, past participle of cultivare, from cultivus cultivable, from Latin cultus, past participle of colere — see cult

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cultivate

• co-cultivate

Rhymes for cultivate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

cultivate

verb

cul·​ti·​vate ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt 

cultivated; cultivating

1

a

: to prepare land for the raising of crops

b

: to loosen or break up the soil around (growing plants)

2

a

: to raise or assist the growth of by tilling or by labor and care

cultivate vegetables

cultivate oysters

b

: culture entry 2

3

: to improve or develop by careful attention, training, or study : devote time and thought to

cultivate one's mind

cultivate the arts

4

: to seek the company and friendship of

Medical Definition

cultivate

transitive verb

cul·​ti·​vate ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt 

cultivated; cultivating

: culture sense 1

viruses cultivated in brain tissue