What is nurture? Pronunciation and usage in English

nurture means . Learn how to pronounce and use nurture through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of nurture

nurtureverb

/ˈnɜːtʃə(r)//ˈnɜːrtʃər/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "nurture." It's a tricky one for some learners! Here's a breakdown with audio references where possible:

1. The Sounds:

  • "nur": This part is key. It sounds like "nur" as in "nurse." It's a short, quick "er" sound. Think of "fur" but shorter.
  • "ture": This part is where a lot of people stumble. It sounds like "chur" (as in “church”) with a short "u" sound.

2. Putting it Together:

So, it’s roughly: "nur-chur"

3. Emphasis:

The emphasis is generally on the first syllable, “nur.”

4. Audio References (Highly Recommended!)

Tips for Getting it Right:

  • Don't over-elongate the "er" sound. It’s a brief, quick "er."
  • Practice the "chur" sound. Think of the "ch" in "church" and then quickly add a short "u" sound.
  • Listen to native speakers. The audio references above are invaluable. Pay attention to how they connect the two parts of the word.

To help me give you even more focused advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (Pronunciation can vary slightly based on accent.)

Usage and examples with the word nurture in English

Let's break down how to use the word "nurture" effectively in English. It's a powerful word with a specific meaning, so it's important to understand it well.

1. Core Meaning:

At its heart, "nurture" means to care for and encourage the growth or development of something (or someone). It implies a gentle, careful, and supportive approach. Think of it like tending a plant – you give it what it needs to thrive.

2. Common Uses & Examples:

  • For People (Most Common): This is where "nurture" is most frequently used. It refers to raising, supporting, and developing a person's potential.

    • "Parents need to nurture their children's creativity." (Meaning: they need to encourage and support their children’s creative abilities.)
    • "She was nurtured with love and kindness throughout her childhood." (Meaning: she was raised in a supportive and loving environment.)
    • “A caring teacher can nurture a student’s passion for learning.”
    • “He’s trying to nurture his talent for music.” (Meaning: he’s developing and supporting his music skills.)

  • For Ideas, Plants, or Animals: You can also use "nurture" in a broader sense to describe caring for things other than people.

    • "We need to nurture these seedlings to help them grow strong." (Plants)
    • "The company is trying to nurture innovation within its teams." (Ideas)
    • "The forest rangers nurture the wildlife in the park." (Animals - implying protection and care)

3. Key Verbs Related to “Nurture” - They Often Work Together:

  • Foster: Similar to nurture, but often implies creating conditions that allow something to grow. (e.g., "Foster creativity.")
  • Cultivate: Suggests careful development and growth over time. (e.g., "Cultivate good habits.")
  • Develop: A general term for growth and improvement. (e.g., "Develop skills.")
  • Promote: Similar to nurture, but can also suggest advocating for something. (e.g., "Promote healthy eating.")

4. Phrases to Use With "Nurture":

  • Nurture a talent: (e.g., “He’s nurturing his talent for painting.”)
  • Nurture potential: (e.g., "The program is designed to nurture student potential.")
  • Nurture growth: (e.g., “We need to nurture economic growth.”)
  • Nurture relationships: (e.g., “Strong relationships require nurturing.”)

5. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

  • Care for
  • Encourage
  • Support
  • Develop
  • Raise
  • Promote

6. Example Sentences Showing Different Nuances:

  • Positive: "The school strives to nurture a sense of community among its students." (Focus: positive development)
  • Gentle: "She gently nurtured the injured bird back to health." (Focus: careful care)
  • Long-term: “We need to nurture these relationships over time for them to thrive.” (Focus: ongoing development)

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to write or say? (e.g., a story, an essay, a conversation?)
  • What is the context? (e.g., are you talking about parenting, education, business, or something else?)

Synonyms for the word nurture

Practice with vocabulary nurture

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Successful mentors often find ways to __________ the budding talents of their mentees, guiding them towards professional growth.
  2. The primary goal of the new management strategy is to __________ a more collaborative work environment across all departments.
  3. Establishing clear communication channels is crucial to __________ team cohesion and preventing misunderstandings.
  4. Many universities aim to __________ a sense of intellectual curiosity and critical thinking in their students.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

  1. To __________ a strong relationship with clients, consistent communication and reliable service are essential. a) alienate b) nurture c) undermine d) cultivate

  2. Which of the following approaches would best help to __________ innovation within a research team? a) Stifling open discussion b) Encouraging experimentation c) Nurturing a culture of psychological safety d) Imposing strict, inflexible deadlines

  3. The board decided to __________ the new policy, believing it would ultimately benefit long-term company morale. a) implement b) abandon c) postpone d) nurture

  4. A key responsibility of HR is to __________ employee engagement and well-being. a) neglect b) foster c) suppress d) promote

  5. Effective leaders often __________ their team members to take initiative and develop new skills. a) discourage b) empower c) delegate d) obstruct

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The project manager worked hard to help the junior team members grow their expertise. (Rewrite using a form of "nurture")

  2. It is vital for the company to support and develop creativity among its employees. (Rewrite using a form of "nurture")

  3. The institution strives to create an atmosphere of rigorous academic inquiry. (Rewrite, replacing the idea of "create" with a suitable alternative verb, but do not use "nurture")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. nurture
  2. foster
  3. maintain (or enhance, strengthen)
  4. nurture

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) nurture, d) cultivate
  2. b) Encouraging experimentation, c) Nurturing a culture of psychological safety
  3. a) implement
  4. b) foster, d) promote
  5. b) empower, c) delegate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The project manager worked hard to nurture the junior team members' expertise.
  2. It is vital for the company to nurture creativity among its employees.
  3. The institution strives to cultivate an atmosphere of rigorous academic inquiry.

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