verb (used with object),cul·ti·vat·ed,cul·ti·vat·ing.
to prepare and work on (land) in order to raise crops; till.
to use a cultivator on.
to promote or improve the growth of (a plant, crop, etc.) by labor and attention.
to produce by culture: to cultivate a strain of bacteria.
to develop or improve by education or training; train; refine: to cultivate a singing voice.
to promote the growth or development of (an art, science, etc.); foster.
to devote oneself to (an art, science, etc.).
to seek to promote or foster (friendship, love, etc.).
to seek the acquaintance or friendship of (a person).
Origin of cultivate
1610–20; <Medieval Latin cultīvātus (past participle of cultīvāre to till), equivalent to cultīv(us) (Latin cult(us), past participle of colere to care for, till (cf. cult) + -īvus-ive) + -ātus-ate1
OTHER WORDS FROM cultivate
o·ver·cul·ti·vate,verb (used with object),o·ver·cul·ti·vat·ed,o·ver·cul·ti·vat·ing.pre·cul·ti·vate,verb (used with object),pre·cul·ti·vat·ed,pre·cul·ti·vat·ing.re·cul·ti·vate,verb (used with object),re·cul·ti·vat·ed,re·cul·ti·vat·ing.
Words nearby cultivate
cultigen, cultish, cultism, cultivable, cultivar, cultivate, cultivated, cultivate one's own garden, cultivation, cultivator, cult of personality
An extension of the conference business, Murray said that Connect will link conferences to the digital reader revenue business that the company recently began to cultivate last year with the launch of its three-tiered paywall.
Fortune Connect is bringing its conference business to a larger audience, with a higher price tag|Kayleigh Barber|September 15, 2020|Digiday
Curtis said senior leaders need to cultivate an atmosphere of mutual care in the workplace, rather than treating team members as disposable units of productivity.
Deep Dive: How companies and their employees are facing the future of work|Digiday|September 1, 2020|Digiday
I was lucky enough for Kevin Lee, who helped cultivate the search industry in so many ways, to come out to my house and do an interview in a socially-distant manner.
Video: Search veteran Kevin Lee on why digital PR is key for SEO|Barry Schwartz|August 31, 2020|Search Engine Land
Such a policy required Japan to have a very close relationship with the United States, which Abe pursued and cultivated throughout his time in power.
Abe Shinzo, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, steps down over health concerns|Alex Ward|August 28, 2020|Vox
Since Google pulled out of China in 2010 over the government’s censorship of search results, China has cultivated a walled garden of applications primarily for use by its citizens.
Covid-19 and the geopolitics of American decline|Katie McLean|August 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Former President Nicolas Sarkozy used it to cultivate right-wing anti-immigrant voters.
Abu Dhabi Stabbing: Why Law Enforcement Hates The Niqab & Burqa|Christopher Dickey|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And Facebook, under COO and Lean In author Sheryl Sandberg, has attempted to cultivate a reputation for being friendly to parents.
Don’t Be Fooled by Apple and Facebook, Egg Freezing Is Not a Benefit|Samantha Allen|October 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With Bruce Wayne out of the picture, Dick Grayson is free to cultivate that hitherto underdeveloped aspect of his abilities.
The CIA Spook Turned Comic Book Scribe: Robin Grabs a Gun in ‘Grayson’|Rich Goldstein|June 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Perhaps the general did not cultivate his fame as “The Marble Man,” but he earned it.
How I Learned to Hate Robert E. Lee|Christopher Dickey|June 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Dredging up Lewinsky, on the other hand, shows that some care was taken to cultivate conservatives.
Rand Paul Woos the Base With Hot Monica Lewinsky Talk|Michael Tomasky|February 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The early colonists brought with them a limited knowledge of swimming, but they did not have the leisure to cultivate this skill.
Women's Bathing and Swimming Costume in the United States|Claudia B. Kidwell
But the Alcalde was the chief influence in the town, and it was policy to cultivate him.
Carmen Ariza|Charles Francis Stocking
To seek their society without cause, to choose their company, to cultivate intimacy with them, is very dangerous to the soul.
Practical Religion|John Charles Ryle
These Indians cultivate the land in common, and when the crop is gathered, it is divided after recognized laws of their own.
Aztec Land|Maturin M. Ballou
He also had a right to cultivate any unoccupied land, and add it to his own.
to till and prepare (land or soil) for the growth of crops
to plant, tend, harvest, or improve (plants) by labour and skill
to break up (land or soil) with a cultivator or hoe
to improve or foster (the mind, body, etc) as by study, education, or labour
to give special attention toto cultivate a friendship; to cultivate a hobby
to give or bring culture to (a person, society, etc); civilize
Word Origin for cultivate
C17: from Medieval Latin cultivāre to till, from Old French cultiver, from Medieval Latin cultīvus cultivable, from Latin cultus cultivated, from colere to till, toil over