nourish

verb

nour·​ish ˈnər-ish 

ˈnə-rish

nourished; nourishing; nourishes

transitive verb

1

: nurture, rear

… to save my boy, to nourish and bring him up …

—Shakespeare

2

: to promote the growth of

… no occasions to exercise the feelings nor nourish passion.

—L. O. Coxe

nourished soccer as a sport in this country

needed to nourish his spiritual life

3

a

: to furnish or sustain with nutriment : feed

Plants are nourished by rain and soil.

b

: maintain, support

Their profits … nourish other criminal activities.

—Beverly Smith

nourisher noun

Synonyms of nourish

• promote
• cultivate
• encourage
• nurture
• foster

Examples of nourish in a Sentence

Vitamins are added to the shampoo to nourish the hair.

a friendship nourished by trust

Recent Examples on the Web

The deep-cleaning Paul Mitchell Two Clarifying Shampoo, brightening Pureology Strength Cure Blonde Shampoo, and volumizing and nourishing Pantene Sheer Volume Shampoo are among her go-tos. —Olivia Dubyak, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026

Squalene, hyaluronic acid, antioxidant fruit oils, and the brand’s patented Maxi-Lip Peptide keep my lips feeling smooth and nourished all winter long. —Akili King, Essence, 13 Jan. 2026

Stock your pantry with a variety of better-for-you snacks that nourish. —Andrea Strong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Jan. 2026

Ask gently yet clearly, because knowledge nourishes affection. —Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English nurishen, from Anglo-French nuriss-, stem of nurrir, norrir, from Latin nutrire to suckle, nourish; akin to Greek nan to flow, noteros damp, Sanskrit snauti it drips

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nourish

• flourish

Kids Definition

nourish

verb

nour·​ish ˈnər-ish 

ˈnə-rish

1

: to promote the growth or development of

2

a

: to provide with food : feed

plants nourished by rain and soil

b

: to provide for : support, maintain

a friendship nourished by trust

Medical Definition

nourish

transitive verb

nour·​ish ˈnər-ish, ˈnə-rish 

: to furnish or sustain with nutriment : feed