Definition of cultivate
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)
2a : to foster the growth of cultivate vegetables cultivate coffeeb : culture 2a cultivate oysters for pearlsc : to improve by labor, care, or study : refine cultivate the mind … cultivated a reputation as a hard-core wheeler-dealer … — Kit Boss
4 : to seek the society of : make friends with looking for influential people to cultivate as friends
Explore Merriam-Webster
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 of cultivate from the Web
-
As CNN first reported, the US intercepted discussions of Russian officials bragging about cultivating relationships with Trump campaign aides during the campaign, including Trump's first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, to influence Trump.
-
For now, Dance St. Louis hopes to maintain the base of loyal St. Louisans who come each year to Spring to Dance while cultivating new audiences and working to regrow and diversify Dance St. Louis' programming in the future.
-
Character relies on norms, not paternalistic nudges; it is cultivated through culture and role models, not directly engineered by technocratic government policy.
-
Frank Deford, who cultivated a distinct style of sports journalism at Sports Illustrated and National Public Radio, had died.
-
Throughout his long political career, Edwards had always cultivated the image of a suave rogue with a quick wit, abundant charm and an uncanny knowledge of the way politics is played.
-
Six months have passed since California voted in favor of Proposition 64, the recreational marijuana initiative that allows adults 21 and over to possess up to an ounce of marijuana and cultivate up to six plants indoors.
-
And people on the internet will do everything humanly possible to cultivate that fear.
-
A red gate marks the transition from wild to cultivated.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cultivate'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of cultivate
Medieval Latin cultivatus, past participle of cultivare, from cultivus cultivable, from Latin cultus, past participle of colere —see cult
First Known Use: 1588
CULTIVATE Defined for English Language Learners
cultivate
playDefinition of cultivate for English Language Learners
-
: to prepare and use (soil) for growing plants
-
: to grow and care for (plants)
-
: to grow or raise (something) under conditions that you can control
CULTIVATE Defined for Kids
cultivate
playDefinition of cultivate for Students
cultivated
;cultivating
1 : to prepare land for the raising of crops cultivate a field
2 : to raise or assist the growth of crops by tilling or by labor and care cultivate corn
3 : to improve or develop by careful attention, training, or study : devote time and thought to He's trying to cultivate a better attitude.
4 : to seek the company and friendship of As soon as Johnny began to cultivate Dove, he was surprised at the response. — Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about cultivate
-
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cultivate Spanish Central: Translation of cultivate Nglish: Translation of cultivate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cultivate for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up cultivate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!