nurture

nurture — verb

1. to feed, protect, and look after a young person, animal, or plant while it is gr

1.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to feed, protect, and look after a young person, animal, or plant while it is growing, giving it the attention it needs to develop in a healthy way

Example

Gabriel carefully nurtured the seedlings in his small greenhouse, checking the soil every morning.

nurture + young plants with careful attention

The mother cat gently nurtured her newborn kittens, keeping them warm and well-fed.

Common collocations
  • nurture a child
  • nurture a plant
  • nurture an animal
  • nurture carefully
  • nurture with patience
Synonyms
  • raise

    more practical — focuses on the daily tasks of bringing up a child or animal, not necessarily on emotional attention

  • care for

    broader — can apply to anyone needing help, not just the young or growing

Antonyms
  • neglect

    to fail to give enough care or attention

Grammar Patterns

nurture + noun phrase (a child, an animal, a plant)

Usage Note

Frequently used for the early stages of growth — the object is typically something young or developing, such as a child, a seedling, or a newly born animal.

Common Mistakes

I nurtured my sick grandmother at the hospital.
I cared for my sick grandmother at the hospital.
'nurture' implies helping someone grow and develop, not providing medical or recovery care to an adult.

2. to help something such as a talent, an interest, a relationship, or a business i

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to help something such as a talent, an interest, a relationship, or a business idea to grow and become more successful over time

Example

The university's programme nurtured young artists by providing studio space and professional mentors.

nurture + creative talent through resources

Faisal nurtured his interest in cooking by taking weekend classes at the local culinary school.

Common collocations
  • nurture talent
  • nurture an interest
  • nurture a relationship
  • nurture an idea
  • nurture growth
Synonyms
  • foster

    very close in meaning; 'foster' often emphasises creating favourable conditions, while 'nurture' implies more active, ongoing effort

  • cultivate

    slightly more formal; often used for skills, friendships, and public image

Antonyms
  • stifle

    to prevent something from growing or developing

Grammar Patterns

nurture + noun phrase (a talent, an interest, a relationship, an idea)

Usage Note

Subject is often an institution, programme, or mentor figure. The object is abstract — a skill, relationship, or venture — not a living being.

Common Mistakes

The coach nurtured the team to win the match.
The coach helped the team prepare for the match.
'nurture' implies long-term development of potential, not short-term performance goals.

3. to keep a feeling, thought, or hope alive in your mind for a long period of time

3.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to keep a feeling, thought, or hope alive in your mind for a long period of time, often allowing it to grow stronger

Example

Liam nurtured a secret hope that his lost brother would one day return.

nurture + hope (abstract emotion as object)

Brandon nurtured a deep resentment toward the company that had dismissed him without warning.

Common collocations
  • nurture a hope
  • nurture a grudge
  • nurture a dream
  • nurture resentment
  • nurture an ambition
Synonyms
  • harbor

    more neutral in register; 'harbor' is common in everyday English, while 'nurture' in this sense is more literary

  • cherish

    emotionally warmer — implies the feeling is precious, not just long-held

Antonyms
  • abandon

    to give up a feeling or idea

Grammar Patterns

nurture + noun phrase (a feeling, a hope, a doubt, a grudge)

Usage Note

Almost always formal or literary. Common objects include 'hope', 'ambition', 'resentment', 'grudge', 'suspicion', and 'dream'. Unlike sense 1 and 2, there is no external action — the nurturing happens internally.

Common Mistakes

She nurtured a bad cold for two weeks.
She had a bad cold for two weeks.
'nurture' is for feelings, ideas, and hopes, not for illnesses or physical conditions.

nurture — noun

Word family

  • nurturing
    adjectiveB2
  • nurturer
    nounC1
  • nurturant
    adjectiveC2
  • nurturance
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Nurture', 'raise', 'care for', and 'foster' all involve looking after someone or something, but they differ in emphasis. 'Nurture' combines physical care with emotional attention aimed at healthy development — a gardener nurtures seedlings, a parent nurtures a child's curiosity. 'Raise' is more practical and task-oriented: you raise a child by providing food, shelter, and discipline. 'Care for' is the broadest term, covering any situation where someone's needs are met, regardless of age or growth stage — you care for a sick adult, but you would not say you nurture them. 'Foster' is often used for temporary arrangements (foster a child, foster a kitten) or for creating conditions where something can grow (foster cooperation). In practice: 'She raised three children on her own, nurturing their love of music by taking them to concerts.'

nurture ↗raise ↗care forfoster ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • nature versus nurture
  • nurture a relationship
  • product of nurture

Prepositions

  • nurture someone through something
  • nurture someone with something

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'nurture' comes from Latin 'nutrire', meaning 'to feed, nourish, or suckle'. It passed into Old French as 'norture' (nourishment, education), and then into Middle English in the 1300s. The famous contrast between 'nature' (inborn qualities) and 'nurture' (upbringing) appears in Shakespeare's play The Tempest (1611). Over time the verb split from the noun, developing the more abstract sense of fostering talents and ideas — a meaning that did not exist in Latin or Old French.