curate

USAGE SUMMARY

"curate" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it either as a verb or a noun. An example sentence would be, "The museum curator carefully chose the items to be included in the exhibition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet to examine the etymology and history of the word "curate" is to find a direct, fascinating link between the professional curator and her pop culture counterpart, engaged in the activity of selecting and displaying.

The Guardian - Books

"Even at 18, a mentally voracious young woman cannot live entirely upon scenery," she wrote, adding that she would have been in danger of "dying of spontaneous combustion" had she not had her diary to write and an interesting curate in a nearby village.

The Guardian - Film

In the medieval church, the curate, centuries later made famous by George du Maurier's 1895 Punch cartoon that coined the phrase "curate's egg", occupied a junior and, according to Du Maurier's cartoon, sycophantic position.

The Guardian - Books

The Oxford English Dictionary traces the transitive-verb form of "to curate" – as in, "he curated a collection of hats" – to the performance-art scene of the early 80s.

The Guardian - Books

"You curate a museum, or perhaps the art collection of a billionaire".

The Guardian - Books

And Nick Wrenn of Facebook believes PA "is an ideal news organisation to run the Facebook UK Politics page because of its commitment to impartiality and balance, and its ability to curate quality content from a wide range of journalists, analysts and public figures".

The Guardian

They curate major arts projects, devise cultural strategies, broker cultural partnerships and deliver art projects from inception to completion.

The Guardian

Bennington College in Vermont invites prospective students to curate their applications.

The Guardian - Books

Craig-Martin said his firsaidesponse to being asked to curate thisenormous show was that he "didn't want to do it at all", adding: "There are firstxhibitions of this scale so it is veresponseding to look at and it is very demanding to hang and can beingry demaskedg to make sense of without curatesing inthea senormousconfushow".

The Guardian - Arts

Could it be the case that the more we curate, the more unsure of ourselves we become?

The Guardian - Books

The container format enables the Guardian's editorial team to curate news and features with greater sensitivity to the news agenda, stylishly representing the editorial voice through displays that respond to the importance, type and tone of individual stories.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "curate", consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the act of selecting, organizing, and presenting information or items with expertise and care.

Common error

Avoid using "curate" in overly casual settings where simpler words like "choose" or "select" would be more appropriate. Overusing the word can sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "curate" is as a transitive verb, indicating the action of selecting, organizing, and presenting items or content. As supported by Ludwig, the word can also function as a noun, denoting the person who curates, but in the context of this analysis, the verbal usage is focused.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

35%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "curate" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a transitive verb, signifying the act of carefully selecting, organizing, and presenting items or content. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's considered grammatically correct and sees frequent use across various domains, especially news and media and encyclopedias. When using "curate", consider the context to ensure it reflects the expertise and care associated with the term. While valuable, overuse in informal settings can be perceived as pretentious. By understanding its nuances and typical applications, you can effectively incorporate "curate" into your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Handpick

Emphasizes the careful and selective nature of choosing items.

Organize

Focuses on the arrangement aspect, omitting the selection nuance.

Select

Highlights the act of choosing, with less emphasis on arrangement or presentation.

Cultivate

Implies careful development and refinement, similar to curating in some contexts.

Manage

Emphasizes oversight and control rather than careful selection.

Assemble

Implies bringing things together, but lacks the sense of expert selection.

Put on display

Focuses on exhibiting something but omits the selection process.

Arrange

Deals primarily with the order and placement of items.

Put together

An informal way of saying assemble or create.

Present

Highlights the act of showing or offering something to an audience.

FAQs

How can I use "curate" in a sentence?

You can use "curate" to describe selecting and organizing items for a collection, exhibition, or digital platform, as in, "She was chosen to curate the museum's new photography exhibit." or "The website allows users to curate their own playlists".

What words can I substitute for "curate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "organize", "select", "manage", or "assemble".

Is it correct to use "curate" when referring to social media content?

Yes, it's common to use "curate" in the context of social media to describe selecting and sharing content from various sources to create a cohesive and engaging feed. For instance, "Many social media influencers "handpick" content to maintain a particular aesthetic or message".

What is the difference between "curate" and "manage"?

"Curate" implies a careful and selective process of choosing and arranging items, often with expertise or artistic vision. "Manage", on the other hand, suggests overseeing and controlling resources or activities. For example, you might "curate" a collection of art, but you would manage a team of employees.