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.
"This exhibition not only honours his legacy but also reconnects Birmingham with one of its most significant cultural trailblazers," said Melanie Williams, from Colmore.
From BBC • May 17, 2026
“Podcasts have become like a cultural hub and curator of things that are happening in the world,” Chow said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 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
"It's a kind of cultural reference point that everyone has," he said.
From Barron's • May 16, 2026
Europe might contain all the cultural capitals and current world powers, but in terms of America's national interest, it was a mere sideshow and distraction.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
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.
