Culture — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈkəl-chər/ cul·ture

Meaning & Definition of Culture

Culture (noun)

  1. the beliefs, customs, arts, etc. of a particular social group, place, or time
  2. a particular society that has its own characteristic features of everyday existence (as pastimes or a way of life)
  3. the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization

Culture (verb)

  1. cultivate
  2. to grow in a prepared medium
  3. to start a culture from

Culture (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a high level of taste and enlightenment as a result of extensive intellectual training and exposure to the arts

    "because of its wide reputation as a place of culture, Boston became known as the Athens of America"

    similar: accomplishment, civilization, couth, cultivation, polish, refinement
    related: education, erudition, intellectualism, intellectuality, knowledge, learning, literacy, scholarship, cosmopolitanism, sophistication, urbanity, breeding, genteelness, gentility, manners, class, elegance, grace, taste, civility, courteousness, courtesy, politeness
    opposite: barbarianism, barbarism, philistinism
    near: ignorance, illiteracy, parochialism, provincialism, rusticity, unsophistication, boorishness, churlishness, clownishness, coarseness, crudeness, vulgarity

  2. the way people live at a particular time and place

    "a study of ancient Anasazi culture as it existed in the canyons of the American Southwest"

    similar: civilization, life, lifestyle, society
    related: customs, manners, mores, values, folklore, heritage, legacy, tradition, subculture, subsociety

Culture (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to look after or assist the growth of by labor and care

    "culture bacteria in laboratory dishes"

    similar: crop, cultivate, dress, grow, promote, raise, rear, tend
    related: breed, produce, propagate, plant, sow, gather, glean, harvest, reap, germinate, quicken, ripen, root, sprout
    near: kill, dig, extirpate, pick, pluck, pull (up), uproot, cut, hay, mow

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Culture

The most common words with a similar meaning to Culture:

accomplishment, civilization, couth, cultivation, polish, refinement, life, lifestyle, society, crop, cultivate, dress, grow, promote, raise, rear, tend

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Culture

Words with the opposite meaning of Culture:

barbarianism, barbarism, philistinism

Related Words for Culture

education, erudition, intellectualism, intellectuality, knowledge, learning, literacy, scholarship, cosmopolitanism, sophistication, urbanity, breeding, genteelness, gentility, manners, class, elegance, grace, taste, civility, courteousness, courtesy, politeness, customs, mores, values, folklore, heritage, legacy, tradition

Near Antonyms of Culture

ignorance, illiteracy, parochialism, provincialism, rusticity, unsophistication, boorishness, churlishness, clownishness, coarseness, crudeness, vulgarity, kill, dig, extirpate, pick, pluck, pull (up), uproot, cut, hay, mow

Word Forms of Culture

Inflections: cultured, culturing

Origin & Etymology of Culture

Middle English, cultivated land, cultivation, from Anglo-French, from Latin cultura, from cultus, past participle see cult

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Culture

Words & Phrases Containing Culture

culture shock, culture of success, cancel culture, self-culture, tissue culture, coculture

Frequently Asked Questions about Culture

What does "Culture" mean?

"Culture" means the beliefs, customs, arts, etc. of a particular social group, place, or time. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: the beliefs, customs, arts, etc. of a particular social group, place, or time. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Culture"?

Other words for "Culture" include accomplishment, civilization, couth, cultivation, polish, refinement, life and lifestyle. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Culture" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Culture"?

There are 63 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Culture". Common alternatives include accomplishment, civilization, couth, cultivation, polish, refinement, life, lifestyle, society and crop.

What is the opposite of "Culture"?

Antonyms of "Culture" include barbarianism, barbarism and philistinism. Near antonyms include ignorance, illiteracy, parochialism and provincialism.

How do you use "Culture" in a sentence?

Examples of "Culture" in a sentence: "because of its wide reputation as a place of culture, Boston became known as the Athens of America"; "a study of ancient Anasazi culture as it existed in the canyons of the American Southwest"; "culture bacteria in laboratory dishes".

Is "Culture" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Culture" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Culture" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Culture" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Culture"?

"Culture" is pronounced /ˈkəl-chər/ and divided into syllables as cul·ture.