cultivating
v.v. to grow plants or to develop a skill or quality over time. You use it when you put effort into making something grow or improve.
v. to prepare and use land for crops, or to foster the growth of a relationship, skill, or quality through deliberate effort. Often used metaphorically to describe the development of social networks or personal attributes.
She is cultivating a small vegetable garden in her backyard.
The diplomat spent years cultivating strong relationships with local leaders to ensure the peace treaty remained stable.
By cultivating a deep appreciation for classical literature, the student not only improved her vocabulary but also developed a more nuanced understanding of historical social structures.
Transitive verb; requires a direct object such as a crop, a skill, or a relationship.