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Definition of nurture verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

nurture

verb
 
/ˈnɜːtʃə(r)/
 
/ˈnɜːrtʃər/
(formal)
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they nurture
 
/ˈnɜːtʃə(r)/
 
/ˈnɜːrtʃər/
he / she / it nurtures
 
/ˈnɜːtʃəz/
 
/ˈnɜːrtʃərz/
past simple nurtured
 
/ˈnɜːtʃəd/
 
/ˈnɜːrtʃərd/
past participle nurtured
 
/ˈnɜːtʃəd/
 
/ˈnɜːrtʃərd/
-ing form nurturing
 
/ˈnɜːtʃərɪŋ/
 
/ˈnɜːrtʃərɪŋ/
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  1. nurture somebody/something to care for and protect somebody/something while they are growing and developing
    • These delicate plants need careful nurturing.
    • children nurtured by loving parents
    Topics Life stagesc1
  2. nurture something to help somebody/something to develop and be successful synonym foster
    • It's important to nurture a good working relationship.
    • My father nurtured a love of art in me.
    • Her teacher recognized and nurtured her musical talent from an early age.
    Topics Successc2
  3. nurture something to have a feeling, an idea, a plan, etc. for a long time and encourage it to develop
    • She secretly nurtured a hope of becoming famous.
    • He had long nurtured a deep hatred of his brother.
  4. Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French noureture ‘nourishment’, based on Latin nutrire ‘feed, cherish’.
See nurture in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee nurture in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English

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