What does nurture mean?
Nurture means to provide the care, encouragement, and conditions that allow a person, talent, or idea to develop. As a verb, it is often used with children, abilities, aspirations, and organizations: a family may nurture a child's confidence, while a teacher may nurture curiosity or a performer may nurture a distinctive artistic style. As a noun, nurture describes the upbringing and support received by someone, especially during childhood. It also appears in the familiar contrast between nature and nurture, which weighs inherited characteristics against the influence of family, education, and environment. The word carries a broadly positive sense of active care and deliberate encouragement, although it can sometimes suggest a gentle or sentimental approach. In professional contexts, it is frequently used metaphorically to describe developing talent, innovation, creativity, and institutional identity.
To care for, support, and encourage the development or growth of a person, quality, talent, or idea.
"The program was designed to nurture young scientists by giving them access to experienced mentors."
The verb is often used with children, abilities, aspirations, creative talents, and organizations.
The care, upbringing, or supportive environment that helps someone or something develop.
"A child's early experiences remain central to the debate over nature and nurture."
The noun commonly describes upbringing and developmental support, especially childhood care.
From the Latin for feeding and nursing came not only nurture, but the entire family of words that includes nourish, nutrition, and nutritious.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nurture come from?
Nurture entered Middle English through Old French forms connected with Latin nutrire, meaning “to feed” or “to nourish.” The word developed from the language of feeding and physical care to the broader modern sense of providing support that encourages growth, whether physical, intellectual, or emotional. Its Latin ancestry is also reflected in nourish, nutrition, nutrient, and nutritious, all of which share the same underlying root.
Related word forms
How nurture is actually used
Nurture is commonly used in contexts involving children, education, creativity, and personal or organizational development. It can sound affectionate or slightly sentimental, especially when describing the raising of children, but it is also widely used in formal writing.
Easily confused with nurture
Nurture focuses broadly on care, encouragement, and development, whereas nourish more specifically refers to providing food or the nutrients needed for health and growth.