What does nourish mean?
Nourish means to provide the food, care, or encouragement needed for something to remain healthy and develop. In its literal sense, it describes feeding a person or other living thing so that it can grow and stay well. Figuratively, the verb applies to relationships, talents, ideas, and communities, suggesting active support rather than mere maintenance. For example, one can nourish a child, a friendship, a creative imagination, or a movement. The word carries a warm, positive connotation because it implies sustained attention and beneficial care. It is more suggestive than simply provide: nourishment conveys vitality, growth, and the conditions that allow something to flourish. In British and American English, the meaning is the same, though the usual pronunciation differs slightly.
verbTo provide food or other substances necessary for health and growth. It can also mean to foster the development, strength, or well-being of a person, idea, or undertaking.
- To provide food or nourishment necessary for life, health, and physical growth.
- To supply what is needed to sustain someone's emotional, intellectual, or spiritual well-being.
- To foster the development, strength, or continuing success of an idea, relationship, talent, or institution.
"A balanced diet can nourish both the body and the mind."
"Good soil and regular rain nourish the young plants."
"Her encouragement helped nourish a lasting friendship."
From the Latin nutrire, meaning to suckle or feed, nourish has grown to describe anything that helps a person, idea, or talent thrive.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nourish come from?
Nourish entered English from Old French norrir, a word derived from Latin nutrire, meaning to suckle, nurse, or feed. The word developed through Middle English into its modern sense of supplying food or other necessities for health and growth. Its figurative uses followed the same pattern, extending the idea of physical nourishment to emotional, intellectual, and cultural development. English words such as nurture, nutrition, and nutritious share this Latin root and reflect the related idea of feeding or fostering growth.
Related word forms
How nourish is actually used
Nourish is transitive and usually has a positive, supportive connotation. It can be used literally of food and health, or figuratively of relationships, ideas, talents, and institutions.
Easily confused with nourish
Nourish emphasizes providing what is needed for health, growth, or vitality, whereas nurture more strongly emphasizes caring for someone or something and helping it develop.