germinate v. + Add to list US //ˈdʒɝməˌneɪt// UK //dʒˈɜːmɪnˌeɪt// ger·mi·nate SynonymsEtymology Synonyms bourgeondevelopevolvepullulateshootsproutspudOrigin Borrowed from Latin germinātus, perfect passive participle of germinō (“to sprout”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix).