culture
Culture refers to the shared beliefs, customs, social behaviors, and intellectual achievements that characterize a specific group of people or society. In an academic context, it encompasses the entire system of transmitted patterns of behavior and knowledge that guide how a community interacts with the world.
Examples
3 of 5Exploring local food and music is the best way to immerse yourself in the local culture while traveling.
Exploring local food and music is the best way to immerse yourself in the local way of life while traveling.
The organization is committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity and professional development.
The organization is committed to fostering an environment of inclusivity and professional development.
The office culture is pretty relaxed, so you don't need to wear a suit every day.
The office environment is pretty relaxed, so you don't need to wear a suit every day.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'cultivate'. Just as you cultivate a garden to help plants grow, a 'culture' is what a society 'cultivates' to define how they live and grow together.
Quick Quiz
Many international students experience _____ during their first few months abroad as they adjust to new social norms.
Correct!
The correct answer is: culture shock
Examples
Exploring local food and music is the best way to immerse yourself in the local culture while traveling.
everydayExploring local food and music is the best way to immerse yourself in the local way of life while traveling.
The organization is committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity and professional development.
formalThe organization is committed to fostering an environment of inclusivity and professional development.
The office culture is pretty relaxed, so you don't need to wear a suit every day.
informalThe office environment is pretty relaxed, so you don't need to wear a suit every day.
Sociologists argue that material culture is a primary driver of ideological shifts within a civilization.
academicSociologists argue that physical objects and architecture are primary drivers of ideological shifts within a civilization.
The merger failed primarily due to the stark differences in corporate culture between the two firms.
businessThe merger failed primarily due to the stark differences in company values and management styles between the two firms.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
culture shock
the disorientation felt when experiencing an unfamiliar way of life
cancel culture
the practice of withdrawing support for public figures after controversial actions
a man/woman of culture
a person who is sophisticated and knowledgeable about the arts
Often Confused With
Society refers to the group of people who live together, whereas culture refers to the rules, beliefs, and objects that those people share.
Tradition refers to specific customs or beliefs passed down over time, while culture is the broader system containing those traditions.
Usage Notes
At the C1 level, distinguish between the uncountable usage (the abstract concept of human achievement) and the countable usage (referring to specific ethnic or social groups, e.g., 'the cultures of East Asia').
Common Mistakes
Learners often use the word 'culture' only to refer to high-brow arts like opera, but in academic English, it refers to any shared system of meaning, including trivial daily habits.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'cultivate'. Just as you cultivate a garden to help plants grow, a 'culture' is what a society 'cultivates' to define how they live and grow together.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'cultura', meaning 'tilling, care, or cultivation', originally relating to agriculture.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Western academic and political discourse, 'culture' is a central term in debates regarding diversity, multiculturalism, and identity politics.
Quick Quiz
Many international students experience _____ during their first few months abroad as they adjust to new social norms.
Correct!
The correct answer is: culture shock
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
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