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verb B2 Upper-Intermediate

nourish

NUHR-ihsh

Nourish (verb) means to feed something so it grows and stays healthy. Example: “A balanced diet nourishes both body and mind.”

verb
1
To feed something so it grows and stays healthy.
"A balanced diet nourishes both body and mind."
"Rich soil nourishes the roots of the vines."
2
To encourage or support a feeling, idea, or relationship over time.
"Their friendship was nourished by years of shared holidays."

How to use nourish

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo feed or support something so it can grow or thrive.

Common pairings
nourish the body nourish a relationship nourish the soil

Word forms

nourished past tense, nourishes plural, nourishes singular

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Test yourself on “nourish” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A balanced diet _____ both body and mind.

Etymology

From Old French nourir, from Latin nutrire, "to suckle, feed, cherish."

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for nourish

See all rhymes for nourish →

Frequently asked questions

What does “nourish” mean?

The word “nourish” means to feed something so it grows and stays healthy. In plain terms, to feed or support something so it can grow or thrive.

How do you pronounce “nourish”?

“Nourish” is pronounced NUHR-ihsh (/ˈnʌɹ.ɪʃ/ in IPA).

How do you use “nourish” in a sentence?

Here is “nourish” used in a sentence: “A balanced diet nourishes both body and mind.”

What part of speech is “nourish”?

“Nourish” is a verb.

Where does the word “nourish” come from?

The word “nourish” comes from Latin. From Old French nourir, from Latin nutrire, "to suckle, feed, cherish.".

How many meanings does “nourish” have?

“Nourish” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to feed something so it grows and stays healthy.

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