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

Home should be a happy place, and somewhere that cultivates good feelings and mindset for you. — Maya Mcdowell, House Beautiful, "8 Ways to Feel Happier at Home When Winter’s Bringing You Down," 15 Feb. 2019 The exhibit consists of more than 30 photographs that highlight the native and cultivated plant life found on the Farnsworth House property. — Joy Davis, Aurora Beacon-News, "Registration still open for Canoe and Kayak Race on Fox River," 24 May 2018 Caviar prices are sinking as fish eggs cultivated in China are flooding the global market for what used to be a rare delicacy. — Lucy Craymer, WSJ, "Somebody Call a Sturgeon! Caviar Prices Are Flatlining," 18 Mar. 2019 By and large, the people entrusted with the monumental task of cultivating education in this country are chronically overworked, understaffed, and underpaid. — Kim Kelly, Teen Vogue, "Education Workers on Campuses Around the Country Are Demanding Better Labor Conditions," 10 Jan. 2019 By cultivating new donors while also making sure to keep the longtime contributors on board by offering special events, backstage access and other perks. — Deborah Martin, San Antonio Express-News, "After a bumpy season, the San Antonio Symphony in a stronger, sunnier place," 3 July 2018 Few would question the value of cultivating resilience, creativity, leadership, resourcefulness, and curiosity—all skills learned through the energetic and unstructured interaction of kids with each other and their surroundings. — National Geographic, "Dirt is Good: Why the Outdoors is the World's Greatest Playground," 7 May 2018 The mission: cultivate and expose local art and artists. — Grace Palmieri, azcentral, "Who's Next: 25 designers influencing Arizona from fashion to graphic design," 16 Mar. 2018 The organization provides plots to be cultivated by local residents, as well as educational and recreational events for the larger community. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Kate Middleton Steps Out in a Casual Look this Morning to Visit a Community Garden," 15 Jan. 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

13 Apr 2019

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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