cultivate

[ kuhl-tuh-veyt ]

verb (used with object)

, cul·ti·vat·ed, cul·ti·vat·ing.

1. to prepare and work on (land) in order to raise crops; till.
2. to use a cultivator on.
3. to promote or improve the growth of (a plant, crop, etc.) by labor and attention.
4. to produce by culture:

   to cultivate a strain of bacteria.

5. to develop or improve by education or training; train; refine:

   to cultivate a singing voice.

6. to promote the growth or development of (an art, science, etc.); foster.
7. to devote oneself to (an art, science, etc.).
8. to seek to promote or foster (friendship, love, etc.).
9. to seek the acquaintance or friendship of (a person).

cultivate

/ ˈkʌltɪˌveɪt /

verb

1. to till and prepare (land or soil) for the growth of crops
2. to plant, tend, harvest, or improve (plants) by labour and skill
3. to break up (land or soil) with a cultivator or hoe
4. to improve or foster (the mind, body, etc) as by study, education, or labour
5. to give special attention to

   to cultivate a hobby

   to cultivate a friendship

6. to give or bring culture to (a person, society, etc); civilize

Other Words From

• over·culti·vate verb (used with object) overcultivated overcultivating
• pre·culti·vate verb (used with object) precultivated precultivating
• re·culti·vate verb (used with object) recultivated recultivating

Word History and Origins

Origin of cultivate¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from Medieval Latin cultīvātus, past participle of cultīvāre “to till,” equivalent to cultīv(us) “tilled,” derivative of Latin colere “to inhabit, till” + -īvus -ive + -āre, infinitive suffix; cult

Word History and Origins

Origin of cultivate¹

C17: from Medieval Latin cultivāre to till, from Old French cultiver, from Medieval Latin cultīvus cultivable, from Latin cultus cultivated, from colere to till, toil over

Example Sentences

Crocker adds that the power of being a kid detective comes not from where you are, but how you see the world: “A kid detective can notice details and cultivate curiosity anywhere — all you need are a few friends. And snacks. A notebook is helpful. Also a magnifying glass and some walkie talkies. But mostly friends.”

From Los Angeles Times

Taylor, meanwhile, is still hopeful that the whole event can still cultivate new fans of the female code.

From BBC

His lies follow a familiar pattern: A distinguished army career, villa in Cyprus, working strange hours to allow him space to cultivate multiple relationships at the same time.

From BBC

If tech companies are minimally willing to put people’s needs over profit, like using smarter A.I. or their swell of data to more mindfully match users—and, simultaneously, if people lean less on tech and do more internal work to become healthier daters—we could cultivate a more curative dating environment where people are more tactfully matched with “the one.”

From Slate

Sir Keir met Trump and Lammy for dinner during the presidential campaign and the foreign secretary has sought to cultivate close ties to Vance and other senior Republicans.

From BBC

Related Words

• breed
• fertilize
• harvest
• manage
• plant
• prepare
• propagate
• raise
• tend