cultivate
C1Formal, Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To prepare and use land for growing crops; to nurture and care for plants.
To try to develop and improve a skill, quality, or relationship through deliberate effort and attention.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb bridges the concrete (agriculture) and abstract (personal development, social relations). It implies a conscious, sustained effort over time.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal difference in core meaning or usage. Spelling variations do not apply.
Connotations
Slightly more formal and literary in British English, but used across registers in both.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[S] cultivate [O] (e.g., She cultivates roses.)[S] cultivate [O] [with MOD] (e.g., He cultivated the field with care.)[S] cultivate [O] [from SOURCE] (e.g., They cultivated the strain from a wild sample.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To cultivate one's own garden (to focus on one's own affairs).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Strategically cultivating client relationships and a professional network is key to success.
Academic
The study examines how medieval monasteries cultivated knowledge and preserved manuscripts.
Everyday
She's trying to cultivate a more positive outlook on life.
Technical
The lab successfully cultivated the bacterial culture in a petri dish.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He decided to cultivate an allotment to grow his own vegetables.
- The university seeks to cultivate a spirit of intellectual curiosity.
American English
- They cultivate over 500 acres of corn and soybeans.
- A good leader cultivates trust within their team.
adverb
British English
- N/A - No standard adverb form. 'Cultivately' is obsolete/non-standard.
American English
- N/A - No standard adverb form.
adjective
British English
- The cultivated fields of Kent are a hallmark of the English countryside. (participial adjective)
- She has very cultivated tastes in music and art.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Farmers cultivate the land to grow food.
- It's important to cultivate good study habits early on.
- The organisation works to cultivate a diverse and inclusive workplace culture.
- Her diplomatic skills were carefully cultivated over decades of international service.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of CULTURE + ACTIVATE. To CULTIVATE is to actively work on developing a culture (of plants, skills, or relationships).
Conceptual Metaphor
PERSONAL GROWTH IS AGRICULTURE (e.g., 'cultivating friendships', 'reaping the benefits of cultivated talent').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with 'культивировать' which is highly formal/scientific. For 'cultivate relationships', use 'развивать/поддерживать отношения'. For farming, use 'возделывать/обрабатывать землю'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'cultivate' for quick, one-off actions (incorrect: 'I cultivated a solution.')
- Confusing with 'culture' as a verb (incorrect: 'We need to culture a better atmosphere.')
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'cultivate' used in its most abstract sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while its origin is agricultural, it is very commonly used metaphorically for skills, relationships, and qualities.
The primary noun is 'cultivation'. 'Cultivator' refers to a person or a machine that cultivates land.
Yes, it can be used neutrally for deliberate development, even of negative things (e.g., 'cultivating a sense of grievance').
They are often synonyms. 'Cultivate' often implies a more deliberate, conscious initiation of the process, while 'nurture' emphasizes the caring, supportive aspect throughout growth.