Reading Theme:
Cultural: Definition, Usage & Common Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：pertaining to arts (cultural)
cultural
/ˈkʌltʃərəl/
adj.
about the arts, ideas, and way of life of a particular group of people.
pertaining to arts
➕
/pərˈteɪnɪŋ tu ɑrts/
adj.
Describing the arts, customs, traditions, and ways of life characteristic of a particular society, group, place, or time.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'cultura' (cultivation, farming), implying growth and refinement of society.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'CULT'ivating a garden. A 'cultural' event cultivates the arts and ideas of a society.
📖 Example
The museum is holding a special exhibition on the cultural significance of traditional clothing from around the world.
The museum is organizing a unique display focused on the importance of traditional attire to the arts and identity of various global communities.
🔗 Collocations
cultural heritage – the traditions, monuments, and artifacts inherited from past generations
cultural exchange – the sharing of ideas, customs, and arts between different cultures
cultural diversity – the existence of a variety of cultural groups within a society
🔄 Synonyms
artistic (adj.) – related to the creation or appreciation of art
ethnic (adj.) – relating to a population subgroup with a common national or cultural tradition
traditional (adj.) – following long-established customs or beliefs
🚫 Antonyms
uncultured (adj.) – lacking in education, refinement, or appreciation of the arts
philistine (n./adj.) – a person who is hostile or indifferent to culture and the arts
🌱 Derivatives
culture (n.) – the arts, customs, and institutions of a nation, people, or group
cultured (adj.) – characterized by refined taste, manners, and education
culturally (adv.) – in a way that relates to the ideas, customs, and social behavior of a society
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'cultura', meaning cultivation of land. By the 18th century, its meaning expanded metaphorically to the cultivation of the mind, manners, and arts, giving rise to our modern concept of 'culture'.
Meaning 2：relating to social norms (cultural)
cultural
/ˈkʌltʃərəl/
adj.
related to society and the way people think and behave in general.
relating to social norms
➕
/rɪˈleɪtɪŋ tu ˈsoʊʃəl nɔːrmz/
adj.
Concerning the shared ideas, customs, attitudes, and social behavior that characterize a society or group as a whole.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
In our university class, we discussed the cultural reasons why work-life balance is viewed differently in various countries.
During our university seminar, we explored the societal norms and shared beliefs that lead to different perspectives on balancing professional and personal life across nations.
🔗 Collocations
cultural shift – a significant change in the shared values or practices of a society
cultural context – the set of circumstances or facts that surround a situation based on societal norms
cultural barrier – a misunderstanding or difficulty arising from differences in cultural norms
🔄 Synonyms
societal (adj.) – relating to society or social relations
social (adj.) – relating to society or its organization
behavioral (adj.) – relating to the way in which one acts or conducts oneself
🚫 Antonyms
individual (adj.) – of or for a particular person; not related to the group
innate (adj.) – inborn; natural, as opposed to acquired through society
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