nurture

nurture — verb

1. to feed, protect, and look after a young person, animal, or plant while it is gr

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to feed, protect, and look after a young person, animal, or plant while it is growing, giving it the attention it needs to develop in a healthy way

例句

Gabriel carefully nurtured the seedlings in his small greenhouse, checking the soil every morning.

nurture + young plants with careful attention

The mother cat gently nurtured her newborn kittens, keeping them warm and well-fed.

同義詞
  • raise

    more practical — focuses on the daily tasks of bringing up a child or animal, not necessarily on emotional attention

  • care for

    broader — can apply to anyone needing help, not just the young or growing

反義詞
  • neglect

    to fail to give enough care or attention

文法句型

nurture + noun phrase (a child, an animal, a plant)

用法筆記

Frequently used for the early stages of growth — the object is typically something young or developing, such as a child, a seedling, or a newly born animal.

常見錯誤

❌I nurtured my sick grandmother at the hospital.
✅I cared for my sick grandmother at the hospital.
💡'nurture' implies helping someone grow and develop, not providing medical or recovery care to an adult.

2. to help something such as a talent, an interest, a relationship, or a business i

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to help something such as a talent, an interest, a relationship, or a business idea to grow and become more successful over time

例句

The university's programme nurtured young artists by providing studio space and professional mentors.

nurture + creative talent through resources

Faisal nurtured his interest in cooking by taking weekend classes at the local culinary school.

同義詞
  • foster

    very close in meaning; 'foster' often emphasises creating favourable conditions, while 'nurture' implies more active, ongoing effort

  • cultivate

    slightly more formal; often used for skills, friendships, and public image

反義詞
  • stifle

    to prevent something from growing or developing

文法句型

nurture + noun phrase (a talent, an interest, a relationship, an idea)

用法筆記

Subject is often an institution, programme, or mentor figure. The object is abstract — a skill, relationship, or venture — not a living being.

常見錯誤

❌The coach nurtured the team to win the match.
✅The coach helped the team prepare for the match.
💡'nurture' implies long-term development of potential, not short-term performance goals.

3. to keep a feeling, thought, or hope alive in your mind for a long period of time

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

to keep a feeling, thought, or hope alive in your mind for a long period of time, often allowing it to grow stronger

例句

Liam nurtured a secret hope that his lost brother would one day return.

nurture + hope (abstract emotion as object)

Brandon nurtured a deep resentment toward the company that had dismissed him without warning.

同義詞
  • harbor

    more neutral in register; 'harbor' is common in everyday English, while 'nurture' in this sense is more literary

  • cherish

    emotionally warmer — implies the feeling is precious, not just long-held

反義詞
  • abandon

    to give up a feeling or idea

文法句型

nurture + noun phrase (a feeling, a hope, a doubt, a grudge)

用法筆記

Almost always formal or literary. Common objects include 'hope', 'ambition', 'resentment', 'grudge', 'suspicion', and 'dream'. Unlike sense 1 and 2, there is no external action — the nurturing happens internally.

常見錯誤

❌She nurtured a bad cold for two weeks.
✅She had a bad cold for two weeks.
💡'nurture' is for feelings, ideas, and hopes, not for illnesses or physical conditions.

nurture — noun