What does cultivate mean Meaning and Definition
What does cultivate mean
Pronunciation
Part of Speech
Verb
Definition
To cultivate something means to grow, encourage, or improve it, often requiring effort, care, and attention.
Examples
- She cultivated her talent by taking singing lessons.
- The farmer cultivated a patch of land to grow crops.
Synonyms
- Grow
- Develop
- Nurture
Antonyms
- Repress
- Destroy
Etymology
The word cultivate originates from the Latin “colere,” meaning “to inhabit” or “to till,” and has been used in the English language since the 15th century.
Usage Notes
When using cultivate, consider the context and intended meaning. In agriculture, it refers to growing crops, while in personal development, it means nurturing skills or relationships.
Cultural References
In literature, cultivate is used in novels like Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” to describe the development of relationships or skills.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- To cultivate an interest in something
- To cultivate a relationship
Related Words or Phrases
- Nurture
- Grow
- Develop
Collocations
- To cultivate a hobby
- To cultivate a garden
Frequency of Use
The word cultivate is relatively common in everyday language, with a frequency of use in the top 10,000 words in the English language.
Common Misspellings
- Cultivate -> Cullivate
- Cultivate -> Cullitivate