noun · neutral
fertilizer
UK/ˈfɜːtɪˌlaɪzə/US/ˈfɜːrtəˌlaɪzər/FER·ti·lizer
Band 6-7task2task1speaking
a substance added to soil to make plants grow better
Examples
“Farmers often buy fertilizer to improve crop yields.”
“Overuse of chemical fertilizer can pollute rivers.”
“Organic fertilizer is sometimes preferred by small-scale farmers.”
Band 8 sentence
“While fertilizer has boosted global food production, policymakers must address its environmental costs by promoting precision application and organic alternatives.”
Collocations
- chemical fertilizer
- apply fertilizer
- organic fertilizer
Word family
fertilize verbfertilization nounfertile adjective
Common mistakes
fertile→fertilizer
fertilize (as a noun)→fertilizer
Say it for a higher band
5manure→6compost→7+fertilizer
Synonyms
manure
compost
Easily confused
fertility
“Soil fertility has declined after years of intensive cropping.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Nature & Animals
Learn it with its set