culture
gb/kˈʌlt͡ʃɚ/ us/kˈʌlt͡ʃɚ/
B1
English
~ 1000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
shared customs and arts of a group
The way of life, art, and ideas of a group of people.
Usage pattern:
[someone's] culture
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'culture' with 'country' or 'nation'; culture refers to shared ways of life, not political borders.
Synonyms
civilization (Often refers to an advanced state of human society, sometimes broader than 'culture'.)
|
heritage (Focuses more on traditions and history passed down from the past.)
Antonyms
barbarism (Implies a lack of cultural development or refinement.)
Collocations
popular culture
|traditional culture
|company culture
|cultural heritage
|cultural identity
Themes
society
|history
|anthropology
|core_vocabulary
|arts_entertainment
|education
Examples
- Japanese culture values respect and harmony.
- Hip-hop culture has influenced fashion and language worldwide.
- Understanding local culture can help you fit in when you travel.
- The company promotes a culture of teamwork.
- Ancient Greek culture has shaped Western thought.
Learner examples
- I like learning about Japanese culture.
- Music is an important part of our culture.
- We must protect our culture.
- Her culture is very different from mine.
Noun
B2
entity
2
shared attitudes in an organization
The way people in an organization usually think and act.
Usage pattern:
[organization's] culture
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with national culture; here it refers to a specific group or organization's way of working.
Synonyms
environment (More general term for the conditions in which people work or live.)
|
ethos (Formal term emphasizing the guiding beliefs of a group.)
Antonyms
toxic environment (Describes harmful or negative workplace atmosphere.)
Collocations
corporate culture
|workplace culture
|school culture
|team culture
Themes
business
|management
|work
Examples
- The company has a culture of innovation.
- A positive work culture can improve employee satisfaction.
- School culture affects student performance.
- They are trying to change the corporate culture to be more inclusive.
Learner examples
- The office has a friendly culture.
- Our school culture is open and creative.
- Good culture makes work better.
Noun
technical
B2
action
3
growing microorganisms or cells
A way to grow bacteria or cells in special food in a lab.
Usage pattern:
to grow [something] in culture
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with social culture; here it is scientific and about growing living things in a lab.
Synonyms
cultivation (In biology, refers specifically to growing organisms under controlled conditions.)
Antonyms
sterilization (The process of killing all microorganisms, opposite of growing them.)
Collocations
cell culture
|tissue culture
|bacterial culture
Themes
science
|biology
|health
Examples
- The scientist prepared a bacterial culture for testing.
- Skin cells were grown in culture for research.
- The lab is studying cancer cells in culture.
Learner examples
- The lab made a bacteria culture.
- We grew cells in culture.
- Doctors studied the virus in culture.
Grammar
Dictionary form
culture
IPA
GB/kˈʌlt͡ʃɚ/
US/kˈʌlt͡ʃɚ/
Syllables & stress
cul - ture (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cul)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: culture
- Plural: culture, cultures
Word family
Forms
cultures
noun
Core family
cultural
adjective B1
culturally
adverb B2
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
uncultured
adjective
Advanced or less common
Expressions
cancel culture
1/kˈænsəl kˈʌlt͡ʃɚ/
fixed phrase
informal
public boycott for offensive behavior
When many people stop supporting someone because they did something wrong or offensive.
Examples
- Cancel culture has become common on social media.
- Some say cancel culture holds people accountable; others say it goes too far.
corporate culture
1/kˈɔɹpɚɪt kˈʌlt͡ʃɚ/
fixed phrase
Company's shared values and norms
The way people in a company usually think and act.
Examples
- A strong corporate culture can lead to success.
- The corporate culture here encourages teamwork.
- They want to change the corporate culture to be more open.
- Corporate culture differs greatly between startups and large corporations.
culture shock
1/kˈʌlt͡ʃɚ ʃˈɑk/
fixed phrase
confusion in a new culture
A feeling of surprise and confusion when you go to a place with very different customs.
Examples
- She experienced culture shock during her first trip abroad.
- Moving abroad gave her culture shock at first.
- Culture shock can happen when you move to a new country.
- He experienced culture shock when he started working overseas.
popular culture
1/pˈɑpjəlɚ kˈʌlt͡ʃɚ/
fixed phrase
Mainstream entertainment and ideas
Music, movies, TV, and other things that most people like and know about.
Examples
- The movie had a big impact on popular culture.
- Superhero movies are a big part of popular culture today.
- Popular culture changes quickly with new technology.
- Social media has changed popular culture.