nourishing

American  

[nur-i-shing, nuhr-] / ˈnɜr ɪ ʃɪŋ, ˈnʌr- /

adjective

1. promoting or sustaining life, growth, or strength.

   a nourishing diet.

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Usage

What does nourishing mean? Nourishing is an adjective that describes things that nourish—do or provide what’s needed for someone or something to be healthy and to grow and develop.The word is most commonly used in relation to food. Nourishing food is filled with nutrients that help us to grow and stay healthy. A more common word to describe such food is nutritious.However, nourishing can be used in many other contexts, including those that don’t involve food, as in a nourishing atmosphere for students. Example: As a mother, it’s my job to provide my kids with things that are physically, mentally, and emotionally nourishing.

Other Word Forms

• nonnourishing adjective
• nourishingly adverb
• overnourishingly adverb
• self-nourishing adjective
• unnourishing adjective

Etymology

Origin of nourishing

1350–1400; Middle English (gerund); nourish, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Groceries cost more, time feels thinner and the idea that eating well — both pleasurable and nourishing — should be attainable on a modest budget can feel almost quaint.

From Salon

It would be strategically worse than managed dependence because we’d be nourishing our own competition in the second-largest AI market in the world.

From The Wall Street Journal

In such asides, Capote subtly reveals how food leads to story, our narratives as nourishing as anything on our holiday plates.

From The Wall Street Journal

The sea air was nourishing and gave her hope.

From Literature

AS YOU MAY KNOW, “ALMA MATER” is a Latin phrase that means “nourishing mother.”

From Literature

Related Words

• wholesome