cultivate
verb
cul·ti·vate ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt 
cultivated; cultivating
transitive verb
1
: to prepare or prepare and use for the raising of crops
Some fields are cultivated while others lie fallow.
also : to loosen or break up the soil about (growing plants)
2
a
: to foster the growth of
cultivate vegetables
cultivate coffee
b
: culture sense 2a
cultivate oysters for pearls
c
: to improve by labor, care, or study : refine
cultivate the mind
… cultivated a reputation as a hard-core wheeler-dealer …
Kit Boss
Kit Boss3
: further, encourage
cultivate the arts
4
: to seek the society of : make friends with
looking for influential people to cultivate as friends
cultivatable
ˈkəl-tə-ˌvā-tə-bəl
adjective 
Synonyms
- acquire
- develop
- form
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Prehistoric peoples settled the area and began to cultivate the land. Some of the fields are cultivated while others lie fallow. a plant that is cultivated for its fruit They survived by cultivating vegetables and grain. He has carefully cultivated his image. She cultivated a taste for fine wines. See More
Recent Examples on the Web How does one cultivate and pass along anything more than rage and despair? Taylor Harris, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2022 That meant farmers could continue to cultivate nearly right up to the base of the turbines, harvesting crops from the ground and a regular stream of lease payments from overhead machines. The Oregonian - OregonLive.com, 27 Aug. 2022 These findings seem to echo the importance of sticking your neck outside your comfort zone in order to cultivate a growth mindset, build resilience and succeed and prosper. Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Fully remote work doesn’t cultivate the level of interpersonal relationships that business leaders see as vital to workplace synergy, collaboration and innovation. Johnny C. Taylor, CNN, 15 Aug. 2022 For all of their youthful promise, the Golden State Warriors cultivate and insist upon adult behavior. Bruce Jenkins, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Aug. 2022 Employers can cultivate dialogue across their industries as well. Rosie Hoa, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2022 At the two-year-old farm, Lightner and farmer Katie Boeh cultivate 90 varieties of plants such as Ozette potatoes, icicle turnips, and young fennel. Alyson Sheppard, Robb Report, 18 July 2022 In the future, Motamedi hopes her work as a filmmaker can cultivate empathy between diverse characters and audiences, and expand opportunities for people from different backgrounds, cultures, languages and traditions. R.l. Ford, Variety, 16 June 2022 See More
Taylor Harris, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2022 That meant farmers could continue to cultivate nearly right up to the base of the turbines, harvesting crops from the ground and a regular stream of lease payments from overhead machines. The Oregonian - OregonLive.com, 27 Aug. 2022 These findings seem to echo the importance of sticking your neck outside your comfort zone in order to cultivate a growth mindset, build resilience and succeed and prosper. Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Fully remote work doesn’t cultivate the level of interpersonal relationships that business leaders see as vital to workplace synergy, collaboration and innovation. Johnny C. Taylor, CNN, 15 Aug. 2022 For all of their youthful promise, the Golden State Warriors cultivate and insist upon adult behavior. Bruce Jenkins, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Aug. 2022 Employers can cultivate dialogue across their industries as well. Rosie Hoa, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2022 At the two-year-old farm, Lightner and farmer Katie Boeh cultivate 90 varieties of plants such as Ozette potatoes, icicle turnips, and young fennel. Alyson Sheppard, Robb Report, 18 July 2022 In the future, Motamedi hopes her work as a filmmaker can cultivate empathy between diverse characters and audiences, and expand opportunities for people from different backgrounds, cultures, languages and traditions. R.l. Ford, Variety, 16 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Medieval Latin cultivatus, past participle of cultivare, from cultivus cultivable, from Latin cultus, past participle of colere — see cult
First Known Use
1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing cultivate
Kids Definition
cultivate
verb
cul·ti·vate ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt
cultivated; cultivating
1
: to prepare land for the raising of crops
cultivate a field
2
: to raise or assist the growth of crops by tilling or by labor and care
cultivate corn
3
: to improve or develop by careful attention, training, or study : devote time and thought to
He's trying to cultivate a better attitude.
4
: to seek the company and friendship of
As soon as Johnny began to cultivate Dove, he was surprised at the response. Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain
Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain Medical Definition
cultivate
transitive verb
cul·ti·vate ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt
cultivated; cultivating
: culture sense 1
viruses cultivated in brain tissue
cultivate
verb
1
as in to develop
to come to have gradually cultivated a taste for opera in order to fit in with his new circle of friends Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- develop
- acquire
- gain
- form
- get
- adopt
- obtain
- embrace
- achieve
- attain
- foster
- promote
- absorb
- reach
- nurture
- take on
- nourish
- take in
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lose
- abandon
- forsake
- discard
- reject
- desert
- shed
- unload
- jettison
- ditch
- dump
- throw away
- throw out
- cast
- slough
- scrap
- fling (off or away)
- shuck (off)
- junk
- sluff
2
as in to promote
to help the growth or development of cultivated a passion for learning among his students over the years Synonyms & Similar Words
- promote
- nurture
- encourage
- foster
- nourish
- advance
- incubate
- further
- forward
- assist
- advocate
- support
- fund
- uphold
- underwrite
- champion
- subsidize
- endorse
- aid
- finance
- back
- endow
- nurse
- patronize
- advertise
- publicize
- stake
- abet
- boost
- indorse
- tout
- plug
- agitate (for)
- work (for)
- campaign (for)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- prevent
- hinder
- discourage
- inhibit
- frustrate
- prohibit
- enjoin
- proscribe
- forbid
- oppose
- fight
- combat
- suppress
- subdue
- stifle
- outlaw
- counter
- interdict
- repress
- contend (with)
- ban
- bar
- squelch
- battle
- check
- squash
- impede
- halt
- obstruct
- retard
- interfere (with)
- arrest
- encumber
- snuff (out)
- shackle
- fetter
- hobble
- manacle
3
as in to grow
to look after or assist the growth of by labor and care in an attempt to produce New World counterparts of the wines that he had enjoyed in Europe, Jefferson cultivated several varieties of grapes at Monticello Synonyms & Similar Words
- grow
- produce
- promote
- plant
- harvest
- crop
- culture
- raise
- tend
- breed
- rear
- propagate
- dress
- sow
- root
- gather
- glean
- reap
- sprout
- ripen
- germinate
- quicken
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- kill
- pick
- dig
- pull (up)
- pluck
- uproot
- cut
- extirpate
- hay
- mow
4
as in to harvest
to work by plowing, sowing, and raising crops on we ought to cultivate the field out back Synonyms & Similar Words
- harvest
- farm
- plant
- tend
- till
- crop
- reap
- hoe
- sharecrop
- harrow
- pay a compliment
- pay a visit
- pay a visit to
- pay attention
- pay attention to
- pay court to
- pay dearly
- pay dirt
- pay dirts
- pay dividends
- pay down
- pay dues
- pay envelope
- pay envelopes
- pay for
- pay for itself
- pay good money
- pay grade
- pay heed to
- pay homage to
- pay in
- pay in full
- pay into
- pay no attention to
- pay obeisance