cultural - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
cultural Word Meanings
- relating to the ideas, customs, and social behavior of a society
- involving the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement
- pertaining to the shared practices and beliefs of a group
cultural Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
cultural Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈkʌltʃərəl/
US
/ˈkʌltʃərəl/
cultural Word Etymology
cultural = culture + -al; from Latin 'cultura' meaning 'cultivation' → Old French 'culture' → English. Imagine a farmer tending to crops, cultivating the land, symbolizing growth and shared practices.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I pause at the doorway and move into the room, letting my steps shift to the rhythm of the crowd. I watch the faces and hear the voices, and feel my own ideas change as I notice how people greet each other and share stories. The moment pushes me to adjust my pace and the words I choose, holding steady as the vibe guides my actions. By the end, the scene carries a cultural texture—the shared arts and everyday practices that a group uses—and I keep that awareness as I speak or participate.
Real Context
Cultural is an adjective used to describe things connected with the ideas, customs, arts, and social behavior of a society. It can refer to cultural traditions, institutions, and practices that shape everyday life; for example, cultural heritage, cultural events, or cultural norms. The word often distinguishes learned, shared patterns from biological traits, emphasizing human creativity and collective memory. It appears in phrases like cultural differences, cultural identity, or cultural upbringing. While it can describe art and intellectual achievement, it primarily points to the learned aspects of a group. Its root is culture plus -al, from Latin cultura meaning cultivation.
Usage Reminders
- Use cultural to talk about shared ideas and practices, not biology.
- Pair with differences, identity, or heritage.
- Apply to arts, institutions, and traditions, not people.
- Think of learned behavior, norms, and celebrations.
- Avoid implying superiority or stereotypes about entire groups.
Common Misconceptions
- It only relates to art and museums.
- It means someone is high-class or refined.
- It is the same as ethnic or national identity.
- It describes biology or genes.
- The term is interchangeable with cultural literacy or cultivation.
Thinking Differences
Explain to an English speaker: cultural describes shared learned patterns of a group, often tied to traditions, arts, and norms; it’s not about people’s biology or IQ. Learners may confuse cultural with ethnic identity or assume it implies superiority.
Learning Tips
- Create contrast pairs (cultural vs biological).
- Notice common collocations: cultural differences, cultural heritage, cultural norms.
- Practice with phrases about culture in different settings (arts, education, tourism).
- Use context to decide what is culturally relevant, not race or ethnicity.
- Watch for exaggerations or stereotypes when talking about cultures.
- Keep a notebook of cultural terms and their nuances.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What does the word 'cultural' mean?
A.Related to cake
B.Related to culture
C.Related to clouds
D.Related to cars
Step 2: Usage
Which of the following sentences uses 'cultural' correctly?
A.He bought a cultural umbrella.
B.She enjoys cultural music.
C.They raced cultural horses.
D.I ate a cultural sandwich.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is a synonym of 'cultural'?
A.Modern
B.Traditional
C.Scientific
D.Biological
Step 4: Opposite Words
In what context would you use the word 'cultural'?
A.Cooking a meal
B.Building a house
C.Discussing traditions
D.Fixing a car
Step 5: Mastery
Can you provide an example of something 'cultural'?
A.Wearing a kimono
B.Eating pizza
C.Playing soccer
D.Driving a bus
Related Listening
🔥 Advanced
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