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

Related Words

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