Word
germinate
Phoneticsger·mi·nate, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdʒɝməˌneɪt/
UK/dʒˈɜːmɪnˌeɪt/
Definition
v. to start to grow from a seed into a young plant. You use this when the seed opens and a small root and shoot come out.
v. to begin growth from a seed, spore, or bud into a seedling or young plant. Extended figuratively to ideas, plans, or movements beginning to develop and take form.
Examples
“Seeds germinate quickly in warm, damp soil.”
“The farmer waits for the corn to germinate before watering the field again.”
“After weeks of cold rain, the dormant seeds finally germinate, sending pale shoots through the dark soil toward the light.”
Examples
simple
“Seeds germinate quickly in warm, damp soil.”
contextual
“The farmer waits for the corn to germinate before watering the field again.”
complex
“After weeks of cold rain, the dormant seeds finally germinate, sending pale shoots through the dark soil toward the light.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “germinate” in context.
Verb
01. allow germinate
“Leave the tray uncovered to allow light to help seeds germinate.”
verb + verb
02. germinate in darkness
“Some native seeds germinate in darkness under leaf litter.”
verb + prep + noun
03. germinate in soil
“The seeds germinate in soil kept at around 20 degrees.”
verb + prep + noun
04. help germinate
“Soaking the seeds overnight helps them germinate more quickly.”
verb + verb
Adjective
05. rapidly germinate
“Cress seeds rapidly germinate on damp paper in the classroom.”
adv + verb
06. readily germinate
“Fresh bean seeds readily germinate in warm spring weather.”
adv + verb
Noun
07. ability to germinate
“Old seeds gradually lose their ability to germinate.”
noun + to + verb
08. failure to germinate
“Failure to germinate is often caused by old or dry seeds.”
noun + to + verb
09. begin to germinate
“Most beans begin to germinate within three to five days.”
10. fail to germinate in cold
“Many seeds fail to germinate in cold, wet ground.”
11. germinate in moist soil
“Lettuce seeds germinate best in moist soil in spring.”
12. need warmth to germinate
“Tomato seeds need warmth to germinate successfully.”
Usage
The verb is both intransitive (seeds germinate) and transitive (to germinate seeds).
Real-World Examples
“A recent study showed acacia seeds that had been eaten and excreted by the closely related Arabian oryx were 250 times more likely to germinate than seeds that hadn't been eaten, helping grow new trees naturally.” “NWT said dormant seeds preserved in sediment layers in the Brecks had germinated, bringing back a variety of aquatic plants, including rare fen pondweed.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin germinātus, perfect passive participle of germinō (“to sprout”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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