cultivate

What does “cultivate” mean?

verb.to try to acquire or develop (a quality, sentiment, or skill).

SAT Usage

this verb often appears in contexts related to personal growth, education, or the development of relationships and skills. It emphasizes an active and intentional effort to nurture and enhance qualities, suggesting a process of care and attention rather than mere acquisition, which distinguishes it from simpler terms like "gain" or "obtain."

Common Confusions

Cultivate implies an active process of nurturing and developing qualities or skills, while acquire usually suggests a more passive act of obtaining or gaining something without the same level of effort or intention.

Example Sentences

• Most farmers in this region cultivate maize.

• They tried to cultivate an interest in learning among their students.

• He aimed to cultivate a sense of community within the neighborhood by organizing regular gatherings that encouraged residents to connect and collaborate.