# curate

/ˈkjʊɹət/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/curate
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to organize a collection

verb · CEFR B2

to choose and organize items for an exhibition or a collection, such as in a museum or gallery.

For teachers: to select, organize, and look after the items in a collection or exhibition. Transitive — requires a direct object.

- She was invited to curate a special exhibition of modern photography at the city gallery.
- The museum spent three years preparing to curate the retrospective, ensuring each artifact was displayed in its proper historical context.

Usage: Commonly used with museum exhibitions, art galleries, and historical archives.

### 3. a member of the clergy

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

a priest who helps the main leader of a church.

For teachers: a member of the clergy who assists a rector or vicar in a parish. The term implies a subordinate role within the church hierarchy.

- The young curate was responsible for visiting the elderly members of the parish.
- After his ordination, he served as a curate in a small rural village before being appointed to a larger city church.

Teaching tip: Note the pronunciation difference: the noun is often pronounced with a shorter final syllable than the verb.

## Examples

- She spent hours trying to curate the perfect summer playlist.
- The museum invited a guest expert to curate the new exhibition on ancient textiles.
- In the digital age, many social media users carefully curate their online personas to project an idealized version of their daily lives to their followers.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.