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Definition of cultivate

cultivate

/ˈkʌltɪveɪt/
cul · ti · vate
Adjective:cultivated
•
Past Simple:cultivated
•
Past Participle:cultivated
•
Present Participle:cultivating
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cultivate Lexical Profile

cultivate Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To prepare, work, and use land or soil for growing crops or gardening.

Example

"Local farmers cultivate the fertile valley soil to produce wheat and barley."

2

To foster, develop, or improve a skill, quality, habit, or relationship through deliberate effort and education.

Example

"Good teachers strive to cultivate a lifelong love of reading in their students."

3

To grow, raise, or tend to plants, crops, or biological cultures.

Example

"The greenhouse allows botanists to cultivate rare tropical orchids throughout the winter."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for cultivate
Antonyms
View all antonyms for cultivate

• Rhymes for cultivate

• Nearby Words

cultist
cultivable
cultivatable
cultivate
cultivated
cultivation
cultivator

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-17th century from Medieval Latin cultivatus, the past participle of cultivare ('to till'), ultimately derived from Classical Latin colere ('to inhabit, care for, or till').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cultivate. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cultivate
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