What does nutritiousness mean?
Nutritiousness is the quality of being nutritious, meaning that something supplies nutrients useful for health, growth, and proper functioning. It most often describes food, meals, diets, or ingredients, but it can also refer to the nutritional value of a substance more generally. The word is grammatically straightforward but relatively uncommon: for ordinary descriptions of food, speakers usually choose the adjective "nutritious" or the noun phrase "nutritional value." For example, one may praise a dish's nutritiousness while describing its ingredients, or discuss the nutritiousness of a diet in a nutritional or health context. Its usefulness lies in making a distinction between something merely pleasant or filling and something that actively supports physical well-being. The term can sound somewhat formal or technical, and its relative rarity gives it a slightly bookish tone.
nounThe quality of being nutritious; the extent to which something provides the substances needed for good health. It is a formal and relatively uncommon noun, usually replaced by the adjective "nutritious" in everyday use.
- The quality or degree of being nutritious; the capacity of a food or other substance to supply nutrients that support health.
"The nutritiousness of the meal was improved by adding fresh vegetables and legumes."
"The nutritiousness of a diet depends on both food quality and appropriate quantities."
"Researchers examined the nutritiousness of several traditional grains and found that they provided a broad range of vitamins and minerals."
Plural forms are grammatically possible but exceptionally uncommon.
"The study compared the nutritiousnesses of several plant-based foods."
A word for a worthy quality, but one that sounds more ceremonious than the simple observation that something is good for you.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nutritiousness come from?
The word is formed from "nutritious" plus the Old English-derived suffix "-ness," which creates an abstract noun denoting a quality or state. The older element ultimately comes through French from Latin "nutritius," meaning nourishing or sustaining, related to "nutrire," "to nourish." The same Latin family also produced English words such as "nutrition," "nutrient," and "nutritive."
Related word forms
How nutritiousness is actually used
Relatively uncommon and formal. In most contexts, "nutritious," "nutritional value," or "healthy" is more natural.
Easily confused with nutritiousness
"Nutritiousness" is the quality of being nutritious, whereas "nutrition" refers more broadly to the process or study of obtaining and using food and nutrients for health and growth.