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nurture

2 syllables

Quick answer

As a noun, nurture means the act of nourishing or nursing. As a verb, it means nourish or nurse.

Meanings of nurture

10 meanings

The act of nourishing or nursing; tender care
That which nourishes; food; diet.
The environmental influences that contribute to the development of an individual (as opposed to "nature").
The properties acquired as a consequence of the way you were treated as a child
Similar: raising, rearing
Helping someone grow up to be an accepted member of the community
“they debated whether nature or nurture was more important”
Similar: breeding, bringing up, fostering, fosterage, raising, rearing

To nourish or nurse.
figurativelyTo encourage, especially the growth or development of something.
Help develop, help grow
“nurture his talents”
Similar: foster
Look after a child until it is an adult
“raise a family”
“bring up children”
Similar: rear, raise, bring up, parent
Provide with nourishment
“We sustained ourselves on bread and water”
“This kind of food is not nourishing for young children”
Similar: nourish, sustain