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Nourishment

n. kind, hopeful everyday

What it means

Meaning 1

Food and nutrients, or the benefit they provide, that sustain life and growth.

Reach for it when naming what a living body receives in order to remain healthy

The recovering birds needed warmth, water, and steady nourishment.

Meaning 2

Whatever sustains and develops the mind, emotions, or spirit.

Reach for it when naming an inward source of renewal or growth

Books and long walks provided nourishment for his imagination.

Words to choose between 7

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom, and by meaning across. Tap a word to see when it fits.
Meaning 1Meaning 2
playful
everyday
  • Nourishment (this word)
  • food
warm
professional
formal
literary
  • Nourishment (this word)

Meaning 1: Food and nutrients, or the benefit they provide, that sustain life and growth.

  • playful

    fuel

    Fits when informal language emphasizes energy for activity

    Careful Calling food fuel can sound mechanical and neglect pleasure, culture, or balanced nutrition.

  • everyday

    food

    Fits when the concrete edible material is all that needs naming

    Careful Food is broader and includes items with little nourishing value.

  • professional

    nutrition

    Fits when the scientific process or quality of nutrient intake is central

    Careful Nutrition is a field and process, whereas nourishment can name the food or benefit itself.

  • formal

    sustenance

    Fits when what matters is enough food or support to continue

    Careful Sustenance can mean bare maintenance and may undersell abundance or healthy balance.

Meaning 2: Whatever sustains and develops the mind, emotions, or spirit.

  • warm

    inspiration

    Fits when a source awakens ideas or motivation

    Careful Inspiration can be brief and exciting without offering steady support.

  • warm

    nurture

    Fits when care and encouragement support a person's development

    Careful Nurture usually comes from an ongoing relationship rather than an idea or experience.

  • professional

    enrichment

    Fits when learning or cultural exposure broadens ability and perspective

    Careful Enrichment adds range but may not restore the deeper inner resources implied by nourishment.

Opposites 3

  • starvation
  • deprivation
  • impoverishment

Common phrases 3

  • proper nourishment

    Proper nourishment helped the young trees establish deep roots.

  • emotional nourishment

    The weekly gathering offered emotional nourishment without demanding cheerful performance.

  • source of nourishment

    Music remained a source of nourishment throughout the difficult year.

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated