cultivate

verb cul·ti·vate \ ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

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)

2 a : to foster the growth of

cultivate vegetables

cultivate coffee

b : culture 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

play \ˈkəl-tə-ˌvā-tə-bəl\ adjective

See cultivate defined for English-language learners

See cultivate defined for kids

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

Daniels's story, however salacious, would have likely paled in comparison and merely reinforced the playboy image Trump once cultivated.

— callum borchers, Washington Post, "Stormy Daniels is proving to be a bigger problem than Trump could have imagined," 9 May 2018
The estate’s romantic, naturalistic landscape was cultivated for a half-century by the Olmsted Brothers, a firm comprising the two sons of Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed New York City’s Central Park.

— virginia a. smith, Philly.com, "New public garden opens Sunday on former Haas estate in Villanova," 8 May 2018
McConnell said cultivating a good relationship with the village is important to the school.

— staff report, chicagotribune.com, "'The Guardian': Rhodes Elementary fifth-grader gets a ride to school in fire engine he named," 7 May 2018
The sweet snapshots were taken by new mom Duchess Kate, who is a photographer in her own right, and studied art history while at St. Andrews, no doubt cultivating a skilled eye.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "See the First Official Portraits of Prince Louis Taken By Kate Middleton," 5 May 2018
There were several varieties of plants that were cultivated for different tastes.

— steve burns, ajc, "400-plus marijuana plants seized in DeKalb warehouse," 2 May 2018
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain abruptly cut off ties last June with Qatar, accusing their former ally of supporting Islamic extremism, cultivating close ties to Iran and meddling in its neighbors’ affairs.

— nicolas parasie, WSJ, "Banks Forced Into Qatar-Saudi Feud," 2 May 2018
For you, dear sea goat, this is a time to learn how to trust your gut and cultivate a healthy relationship with your inner artist (beret and paint palette optional).

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "What May's Capricorn Horoscope Means for You," 26 Apr. 2018
Venezuela's gusher runs dry Ortega has long cultivated Venezuela’s socialist rulers as patrons.

— whitney eulich, The Christian Science Monitor, "How Nicaragua protests snapped Ortega's power grab," 26 Apr. 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1588

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

cultivate Synonyms

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

CULTIVATE Defined for English Language Learners

cultivate

verb

Definition 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

verb cul·ti·vate \ ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt \

Definition 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

cultivate

transitive verb cul·ti·vate \ ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt \

medical Definition of cultivate

cultivated; cultivating

: culture 1

viruses cultivated in brain tissue

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cultivate

Definition of cultivate

cultivatable

Examples of cultivate in a Sentence

Recent Examples of cultivate from the Web

Origin and Etymology of cultivate

cultivate Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

CULTIVATE Defined for English Language Learners

cultivate

Definition of cultivate for English Language Learners

CULTIVATE Defined for Kids

cultivate

Definition of cultivate for Students

Medical Dictionary

cultivate

medical Definition of cultivate

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