fertilise
verb C2
Plain meaning
to make an egg or plant able to develop new life
Exam-register meaning
In formal or high-level texts, it is used to describe to make an egg or plant able to develop new life, often with a precise or specialised tone.
In context
naturalThe team tried to fertilise the problem before it became serious.
examThe report argues that institutions should fertilise ineffective practices through evidence-based reform.
Common collocations
fertilise a proposalfertilise the issuefertilise in practice
Watch out
Do not use “fertilise” with every object. Check the object that follows it and avoid using it when a simpler verb is more natural.
Word family
fertilisation (noun)fertilised (adjective/verb form)