# nurturing

/ˈnɝtʃɝɪŋ/ (US) · /nˈɜːtʃəɹɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nurturing
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

caring for someone or something and helping them grow or develop.

For teachers: providing care, support, and encouragement to foster growth or development. Often used to describe environments, relationships, or personality traits.

## Examples

- She has a very nurturing personality and loves helping others.
- The school provides a nurturing environment where students feel safe to express their creative ideas.
- A successful mentorship requires a nurturing approach that balances critical feedback with the emotional support necessary for a junior colleague to build professional confidence.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used as a participial adjective; often appears before nouns like 'environment', 'relationship', or 'parent'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.