Words / C1

NUR-ish/ˈnʌrɪʃ/

To nourish is to feed what needs to grow: nourish a child, nourish a talent, nourish a grudge (keep it alive). Feed is everyday and more physical; nurture (this batch) is care-and-develop. Nutrition is the science/noun of food. Do not nourish a spreadsheet.

Meaning

To give food or other things needed for growth and health; also to keep a feeling or idea alive.

Examples

• “A weekly clinic nourished the cohort better than one pep talk.”
• “A weekly clinic nourished the cohort better than one pep talk in freshers’ week.”
• “Feed a plant; nourish a skill or a rumour. Nurture stresses care over time. Nutrition is the food-science noun, not the verb.”

Good to know

Feed / keep alive (body, talent, or a feeling). Everyday: feed. Cousin: nurture. Noun family: nutrition. Not a file or a form.

Near in meaning

feed

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