What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cultivated
Example
She is a cultivated woman who speaks several languages. [cultivated: adjective]
Example
The farmer cultivated the land to grow crops. [cultivated: verb]
Example
His cultivated musical talent impressed the judges. [cultivated: adjective]
refined
Example
She has refined taste in art and fashion. [refined: adjective]
Example
The sugar was refined to remove any impurities. [refined: verb]
Example
His refined piano playing left the audience in awe. [refined: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Refined is more commonly used than cultivated in everyday language. Refined is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while cultivated is less common and refers to a specific type of development or improvement.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cultivated and refined?
Both cultivated and refined are associated with a formal tone, but refined is often used in more formal contexts due to its connotations of luxury and elegance.
