culled
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /kʌld/
KK: /kʌld/
adjective
Definition
Describes an animal that has been selectively killed or a flower or fruit that has been picked from a group.
Example
The farmer culled the weaker animals from the herd to improve its overall health.
Conversation
Did you see the garden? The flowers look amazing after being culled.
Yeah, they really do! I love how vibrant they are now.
It’s nice to have only the best ones left.
Absolutely, it makes the whole place feel more alive.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
selected
chosen
picked
Antonyms
discarded
abandoned
neglected
verb
Definition
To select and remove something from a group, often to improve the quality of what remains.
Example
The farmer culled the weaker animals from the herd to ensure better health for the rest.
Tense Forms
Past: culled
Past Participle: culled
Conversation
Did you hear about the old trees they culled from the park?
Yeah, I read that they had to make space for new ones.
It's sad, but I guess it's necessary sometimes.
Root Explanation
Culled → The word 'culled' originates from the Old French 'culer' (meaning to pick or to gather) and is related to the Latin 'colligere' (meaning to collect). It refers to the act of selecting or gathering items, often by removing the less desirable ones.
Memory Tip
Think of 'gathering' ('culer') the best items while 'removing' the less desirable ones — that's what culled means.
Visually Confused Words
unculled
curled
celled
cled