# fertilizer

/ˈfɝtəˌɫaɪzɝ/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. plant food

noun · CEFR B2

a natural or chemical substance added to soil to help plants grow.

For teachers: a natural or synthetic substance containing nutrients that is applied to soil or land to increase its fertility.

- The gardener added organic fertilizer to the soil before planting the tomatoes.
- Modern agriculture relies heavily on nitrogen-based fertilizers to maintain high crop yields across large-scale farming operations.

### 2. human remains

noun · CEFR C2 · Vulgar · Slang

a very dark or rude way to talk about dead bodies left in the ground.

For teachers: a derogatory or cynical reference to human remains, implying they are of no more value than waste used for soil.

- In the dark movie, the villain said the soldiers were just fertilizer now.
- The cynical commander dismissed the loss of life, callously remarking that his fallen enemies were now nothing more than fertilizer for the fields.

Usage: Used figuratively and usually in a highly offensive or dark context.

## Examples

- The farmer spreads fertilizer on the fields in the spring.
- Using too much chemical fertilizer can sometimes damage the local water supply if it washes away during heavy rain.
- While organic compost provides a slow release of nutrients, synthetic fertilizer offers a more immediate boost to crop yields, though it requires careful management to avoid soil degradation.

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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.