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

Steele visited Epstein at his Upper East Side town house in 2017, and assiduously cultivated the millionaire across a year of correspondence. —Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026

Moon Juice enters Target after cultivating a loyal customer base, Bacon said. —Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Feb. 2026

Epstein, who cultivated relationships with many rich and powerful men and women, pleaded guilty in 2008 in Florida to state criminal charges related to soliciting prostitution, with one charge related to a girl under the age of 18. —Lola Murti,dan Mangan, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2026

Ancient Egyptians cultivated white lupin (Lupinus albus), while pre-Incan civilizations developed different species (Lupinus mutabilis) in the region now called Peru. —Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 15 Feb. 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
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

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