nourish

[ nur-ish, nuhr- ]
See synonyms for nourish on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
  1. to sustain with food or nutriment; supply with what is necessary for life, health, and growth.

  2. to cherish, foster, keep alive, etc.: He had long nourished the dream of living abroad.

  1. to strengthen, build up, or promote: to nourish discontent among the workers; to nourish the arts in one's community.

Origin of nourish

1
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English norisshe, from Old French noriss-, long stem of norir, from Latin nūtrīre “to feed”; see nurse, -ish2

synonym study For nourish

1. See nurse.

Other words for nourish

Opposites for nourish

Other words from nourish

  • nour·ish·a·ble, adjective
  • nour·ish·er, noun
  • o·ver·nour·ish, verb (used with object)
  • re·nour·ish, verb (used with object)
  • self-nourished, adjective
  • un·nour·ish·a·ble, adjective
  • un·nour·ished, adjective
  • well-nourished, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use nourish in a sentence

  • He is well nourished, but seems to have been worried into a system of small deceptions which the woman magnifies into deadly sins.

  • It is said that food passes through its body as fast as it is eaten, so it is not nourished, and soon dies for this reason.

  • He wills that each tender human plant be nourished and cherished until well fitted to fill its place and calling in life.

  • Holbach was nourished on what might be called scientific rather than philosophical traditions.

    Baron d'Holbach | Max Pearson Cushing
  • Born of the dreams of humble people who toiled and served for the freedom on which she was nourished, Canada must be forever free!

    The Affable Stranger | Peter McArthur

British Dictionary definitions for nourish

nourish

/ (ˈnʌrɪʃ) /


verb(tr)
  1. to provide with the materials necessary for life and growth

  2. to support or encourage (an idea, feeling, etc); foster: to nourish resentment

Origin of nourish

1
C14: from Old French norir, from Latin nūtrīre to feed, care for

Derived forms of nourish

  • nourisher, noun
  • nourishing, adjective
  • nourishingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012