cultivate

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   To prepare land and grow crops on it.

   Grammar: Takes an object: cultivate the soil.

   Patterns

   • cultivate something
   • cultivate land/soil/fields
   • cultivate crops

   The farmers cultivate rice in these flooded fields.

   They cleared the forest and began to cultivate the land.

   He cultivates vegetables in his backyard.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To develop or improve a skill, quality, or relationship through effort.

   Grammar: Takes an object: cultivate a habit.

   Patterns

   • cultivate something
   • cultivate a skill/habit/relationship
   • cultivate an image

   She worked hard to cultivate a reputation for honesty.

   It takes time to cultivate trust with new colleagues.

   He tried to cultivate an interest in classical music.

Word forms

Common combinations

cultivate a habit

She cultivated the habit of reading before bed.

cultivate a relationship

The company tries to cultivate relationships with its customers.

cultivate land

The family has cultivated this land for generations.

cultivate an image

The politician cultivated an image of being tough on crime.

Synonyms and how they differ

grow

grow is more general and can be intransitive (plants grow), while cultivate always needs an object and suggests deliberate care.

develop

develop is broader and can mean simply coming into existence; cultivate emphasizes steady, intentional effort.

nurture

nurture often suggests emotional care and protection, especially with people or young things, while cultivate is more about skills or land.

Opposites

Word family

cultivation noun

the act of preparing land or developing something.

cultivated adjective

educated and refined, or (of land) prepared for crops.

cultivator noun

a person or machine that cultivates.

Commonly confused: cultivate or cult?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “cultivate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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