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

The Law and Justice government has also dramatically reduced Polish dependence on Russian gas — an energy source increasingly provided by U.S. companies shipping it across sea — and has cultivated a stronger military relationship with Washington. — Vanessa Gera, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump cancels Poland trip because of hurricane," 30 Aug. 2019 That isn’t likely to soften the hardline image on immigration Trump has cultivated. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Will immigration enforcement still go light on employers?," 16 Aug. 2019 But the key in the race for Robinson was Texas running backs coach Stan Drayton, who cultivated a strong relationship with the five-star tailback. — Nick Moyle, ExpressNews.com, "Ingram adds “armor” as he prepares to lead Texas backfield," 3 Aug. 2019 Her professional achievements are enhanced by her communication skills, ability to cultivate relationships and analyze and resolve complex issues. — Staff Report, Houston Chronicle, "Simon appoints new manager of luxury retail and director of business development at The Galleria," 2 Aug. 2019 The Palmetto State is an important state for the former vice president, one where he's cultivated strong relationships over the years. — NBC News, "Two different contests are defining the Democratic presidential race," 12 July 2019 Since then, Brat has found his home in Congress in the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, a group that has cultivated a close relationship with Trump. — Tara Golshan, Vox, "Abigail Spanberger elected to US House of Representatives: a Democrat just ousted a Tea Party star," 7 Nov. 2018 To think that these artists were cultivated in a nondescript two-story house in downtown Detroit, dubbed Hitsville USA, seems mind-boggling to this day. — Mara Reinstein, Billboard, "'Hitsville: The Making of Motown' Is Stylish, Slick and Safe," 23 Aug. 2019 West Country Trilogy Jonathan Keeble's narrative ability, reserved and cultivated in general narrative, opens doors to the past. — Dallas News, "Don't let a bad reader ruin your audiobook experience: Here are recordings to savor — and to avoid," 20 Aug. 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

14 Sep 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