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definitions

cultivated

[kuhl-tuh-vey-tid]
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adjective

prepared and used for raising crops; tilled: cultivated land.
produced or improved by cultivation, as a plant.
educated; refined; cultured: cultivated tastes.

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RELATED WORDS

refined, polished, sophisticated, enlightened, civilized, educated, accomplished, learned, urbane

Nearby words

  1. cultism,
  2. cultivable,
  3. cultivar,
  4. cultivate,
  5. cultivate one's own garden,
  6. cultivation,
  7. cultivator,
  8. cultrate,
  9. cultual,
  10. cultural

Origin of cultivated

First recorded in 1655–65; cultivate + -ed2
Related forms
Can be confusedcultivated cultured

cultivate

[kuhl-tuh-veyt]

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
Related formso·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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for cultivated

British Dictionary definitions for cultivated

cultivated

adjective

cultured, refined, or educated
((of land or soil))
  1. subjected to tillage or cultivation
  2. tilled and broken up
(of plants) specially bred or improved by cultivation

cultivate

verb (tr)

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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for cultivated

cultivate

v.

early 17c., from Medieval Latin cultivatus, past participle of cultivare, from Late Latin cultivus "tilled," from Latin cultus (see cult). Figurative sense of "improve by training or education" is from 1680s. Related: Cultivable; cultivated; cultivating.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper