nourish
B2Formal/Neutral
Definition
Meaning
to provide a person or living thing with the food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and maintenance of life.
to support, foster, or sustain the development of something abstract, such as a feeling, idea, relationship, or talent.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word implies a gradual, continuous, and beneficial process of providing sustenance. It carries positive connotations of care and cultivation. Unlike 'feed', which is more direct and physical, 'nourish' can be used both literally and metaphorically for psychological or spiritual sustenance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are standard.
Connotations
Equally positive and formal in both dialects.
Frequency
Similar frequency; slightly more common in written than spoken registers in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + nourish + [Object] (e.g., The soil nourishes the plants.)[Subject] + nourish + [Object] + with + [Noun Phrase] (e.g., She nourished her children with love and good food.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Nourish a grudge”
- “Nourish the roots (metaphorical)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. May appear in metaphorical contexts like 'nourish innovation' or 'nourish client relationships'.
Academic
Common in biological sciences (literal) and humanities/social sciences (metaphorical for ideas/cultures).
Everyday
Most common in discussions about food, health, parenting, and personal growth.
Technical
Used in agriculture, nutrition, and biology.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- This cream is designed to nourish and protect your skin.
- We must nourish the talents of our young people.
American English
- The river's silt nourishes the farmland.
- She nourished a deep love for music from an early age.
adverb
British English
- The meal was nourishingly wholesome.
- She spoke nourishingly to the child's imagination.
American English
- He ate nourishingly to prepare for the marathon.
- The policy is designed to act nourishingly on the local economy.
adjective
British English
- This soup is very nourishing on a cold day.
- They provided a nourishing environment for the start-up.
American English
- The soil here is rich and nourishing.
- He found the conversation intellectually nourishing.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Eat fruit and vegetables to nourish your body.
- Plants need water to grow and be nourished.
- A mother's milk nourishes her baby.
- Reading good books nourishes the mind.
- The government's policies failed to nourish the arts community.
- They managed to nourish a strong friendship despite the distance.
- The ancient traditions were nourished in the isolated villages.
- Her critique, though harsh, nourished a more robust debate on the issue.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'NOURISH' as providing 'NOURishment' to something, helping it flourish.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE PLANTS/FEELINGS ARE LIVING ENTITIES ('nourish a hope', 'nourish a friendship').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'питать' (to feed) in all contexts. For abstract meanings, 'лелеять' (to cherish) or 'поддерживать' (to support) might be closer. The Russian 'кормить' is too literal and physical.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He nourished his dog with a biscuit.' (Use 'fed' for a single, simple act). Correct: 'A good diet nourishes the body.'
- Incorrect preposition: 'nourish to'. Correct: 'nourish with'.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'nourish' used in a purely metaphorical sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Feed' is more general and direct, often referring to the simple act of giving food. 'Nourish' implies providing what is needed for long-term health, growth, and strength, and can be used abstractly.
Typically no, for literal meanings. However, metaphorically it can be used with abstractions like ideas, hopes, or economies (e.g., 'nourish an ambition').
It is neutral to slightly formal. In everyday speech about food, 'feed' is more common. 'Nourish' is preferred in writing, health contexts, and metaphorical use.
The primary noun is 'nourishment'. 'Nutrition' is a related but broader term referring to the science or process of nourishing.