C1verb2K

Cultivate

UK /["/ˈkʌltɪveɪt/","/ˈkʌltɪveɪts/","/ˈkʌltɪveɪtɪd/","/ˈkʌltɪveɪtɪŋ/"]/US /["/ˈkʌltɪveɪt/","/ˈkʌltɪveɪts/","/ˈkʌltɪveɪtɪd/","/ˈkʌltɪveɪtɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to prepare and use land for growing plants or crops

In simple words: To grow or improve something, like plants or skills.

Examples

  • The land around here has never been cultivated.
  • The land here has been intensively cultivated for generations.
  • The people cultivate mainly rice and beans.
  • Olives have been cultivated successfully in southern Australia.
  • He purposely tried to cultivate good relations with the press.
  • It helps if you go out of your way to cultivate the local people.
  • She cultivated an air of sophistication.
  • This modern image is actively cultivated by the company.

Usage notes

Use 'cultivate' when discussing farming, gardening, or personal development. It is appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, but may sound too formal in casual conversations.

Grammar pattern

cultivate + object

Memory hint

Think of a gardener cultivating plants — they carefully nurture growth.

Collocations

  • intensively
  • widely
  • successfully
  • actively
  • assiduously
  • carefully
  • actively
  • assiduously
  • carefully

Synonyms

  • grow

Antonyms

  • neglect
  • abandon
  • destroy

Common mistakes

  • 'Cultivate' is often confused with 'cultivated'; remember the difference in context.
  • Mixing up 'cultivate' with 'cultivation'; 'cultivate' is the action, 'cultivation' is the noun.
  • 'Cultivate' should not be used with abstract nouns like 'emotions' without context.