# fertilize

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈfɜː(ɹ)tɪlaɪz/ · frequency rank #46,461

## Definitions
1. To make (the soil) more fertile by adding nutrients to it.
2. To make more creative or intellectually productive.
3. To cause to produce offspring through insemination; to inseminate.

## Etymology
From French fertiliser; equivalent to fertile + -ize.

## Easily confused with
- **fertilizer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fertilize-vs-fertilizer)
- **fertile** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fertile-vs-fertilize)
- **fertility** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fertility-vs-fertilize)

## Common misspellings (13)
`efrtilize`, `feritlize`, `ferrtilize`, `fertiilze`, `fertiliez`, `fertilizze`, `fertillize`, `fertilzie`, `fertliize`, `ferttilize`, `fetrilize`, `ffertilize`, `fretilize`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/fertilize