cultural
Americanadjective
adjective
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of or relating to artistic or social pursuits or events considered to be valuable or enlightened
-
of or relating to a culture or civilization
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(of certain varieties of plant) obtained by specialized breeding
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of cultural
Explanation
The adjective cultural comes from the noun "culture" but has several, subtly different meanings, depending on context. The chief meaning is anything having to do human intellectual or creative output. The word cultural is often used as a synonym for "ethnic," as in, "cultural diversity," which means a variety of people. But it also means having to do with the arts and creativity. When you move, you'll want to move somewhere with a vibrant cultural life—lots of museums, libraries, and concert halls. In the middle is a term like "cultural anthropology," which is the study of a population's work, arts, lifestyles, and ways of interacting.
Vocabulary lists containing cultural
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“However, in principle, and even as a power systems engineer, I believe it is important to prioritize our cultural, ecological and environmental assets.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026
At one end of the spectrum are celebrity and cultural figures who have leaned into humor, vulnerability, and personal storytelling.
From Salon • May 16, 2026
Chicago was able to redefine its image from a gritty second city to a cultural and architectural hub after defeating New York’s bid for the 1893 exposition.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026
"It's a kind of cultural reference point that everyone has," he said.
From Barron's • May 16, 2026
What are some of the lyrics in the song that tell you about different cultural elements in India?
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
