nourishment
/ˈnʌr.ɪʃ.mənt/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Nourishment is food and other things that help a person or animal grow, stay healthy, and have energy. It can also mean the feeling of being supported or strengthened by something useful.
- Children need good nourishment to grow well.
- This soup gives me real nourishment.
- Reading gave her nourishment during a hard time.
Adinary Nuance
Nourishment is broader and gentler than food. Use food for the thing you eat, and nourishment when you want to stress health, growth, or support. It often sounds more thoughtful or formal than everyday words like meal or eat.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- dinh dưỡng
- Spanish
- nutrición
- Chinese
- 营养
- Japanese
- 栄養
- Korean
- 영양
Etymology
Nourishment comes from the Old French word nourissement, from nourrir, meaning “to feed.” It entered English in the Middle Ages.
Common phrases
good nourishmentproper nourishmentprovide nourishmenta source of nourishment
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is nourishment the same as food?
- Not exactly. Food is the thing you eat, while nourishment means food that helps you stay healthy and strong.
- Is nourishment formal or informal?
- It is slightly formal. People use it in writing, health talks, and careful speech.
- Can nourishment be used for feelings or the mind?
- Yes. It can mean support, comfort, or strength, not only physical food.
- What is the difference between nourishment and nutrition?
- Nutrition is the science or quality of taking in food. Nourishment is the food or support that helps you thrive.