cultivate

verb

cul·ti·vate | \ ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt

cultivated; cultivating

Definition of cultivate

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 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

Other Words from cultivate Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about cultivate

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Synonyms & Antonyms for cultivate

Synonyms

acquire, develop, form

Antonyms

lose

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

Following the controversy, the Academy ramped up its membership efforts in hopes of cultivating a larger, more diverse voting body. — Helen Murphy, PEOPLE.com, "The Academy Just Invited 842 New Members — Including Lady Gaga, Tom Holland and Sterling K. Brown," 2 July 2019 The method of cultivating this asset was neither gentle cajoling nor persuasion, but torture, rape, and child trafficking. — Time, "Author Ta-Nehisi Coates Criticized Mitch McConnell for Saying Slavery's Effects Were in the Past," 19 June 2019 The method of cultivating this asset was neither gentle cajoling, nor persuasion, but torture, rape, and child trafficking. — Annalisa Merelli, Quartz, "Watch Ta-Nehisi Coates school Mitch McConnell on American history," 19 June 2019 Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene is a company that believes in cultivating a culture with an all-in mindset. — Michelle Sandlin, Houston Chronicle, "On the Move: Relocation Spotlight on Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene," 16 June 2019 Howard said his donations and the fundraiser are not about cultivating a relationship with Garcia for professional gain. — Jessica Boehm, azcentral, "Why is 'outsider' Carlos Garcia taking money from Phoenix developers?," 11 June 2019 One of the ways that monks and nuns have dealt with this challenge is by cultivating a sense of inner silence and inner stillness through practices like meditation, prayer and sitting in solitude. — Kim Haines-eitzen, The Conversation, "The struggle to find silence in the ancient monastic world – and now," 10 June 2019 Aside from cultivating Asian creative talent, ACN also allows for discourse about specific issues that Asians often encounter in the creative space. — Belle Lu, NBC News, "A Facebook group for Asian creatives made an Ariana Grande parody possible," 3 June 2019 In all, more than 50 disciplines are offered at the center, from welding to coding to cultivating flowers, and the approach seems remarkably effective. — Mario Calvo-platero, Town & Country, "This Renzo Mongiardino–Designed Home in Milan Has a Beautiful Secret," 16 May 2019

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.

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Dictionary Entries near cultivate

Statistics for cultivate

Last Updated

6 Jul 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for cultivate

The first known use of cultivate was in 1588

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More Definitions for cultivate

cultivate

verb

English Language Learners Definition of cultivate

: 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

See the full definition for cultivate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

cultivate

verb

cul·ti·vate | \ ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt

cultivated; cultivating

Kids Definition of cultivate

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