B2nounUK spelling: fertiliserenvironmentscience
US/ˈfɜːr.təl.aɪ.zər/
UK/ˈfɜː.tɪ.laɪ.zə/
a substance added to soil to help plants grow better
In context
Farmers use chemical fertilizer to increase the size of their harvest.
Too much fertilizer can wash into rivers and harm fish.
She spread organic fertilizer on the vegetable garden in spring.
Words that go with fertilizer
adjective + noun
- chemical fertilizerChemical fertilizer is cheap but can pollute water.
- organic fertilizerOrganic fertilizer is made from animal waste or plants.
verb + noun
- use fertilizerMany farmers use fertilizer to boost crop yields.
- apply fertilizerApply fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
noun + noun
- fertilizer runoffFertilizer runoff causes algae to grow in lakes.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
Farmers use fertilize on the fields.Correct: Farmers use fertilizer on the fields.
Incorrect:
put the fertilizer of nitrogenCorrect: put nitrogen fertilizer