English Reference
Adjective

nutritious

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /nuˈtɹɪʃəs/ UK /njuːtɹˈɪʃəs/ nu·tri·tious

adj.containing many of the substances your body needs to stay healthy and grow.

adj.providing a high degree of nourishment; containing essential vitamins, minerals, and other substances necessary for health.


SIMPLE

A bowl of oatmeal is a nutritious way to start the day.

CONTEXTUAL

The school cafeteria updated its menu to include more nutritious options like fresh salads and whole grains.

COMPLEX

While processed snacks are convenient, they often lack the nutritious density found in whole foods, which provide the sustained energy required for demanding physical or mental tasks.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb like 'be' or 'seem'.

I study how meat is turned into foods such as deli ham and how to make those foods safe, tasty and nutritious .

The Conversation· 17 Aug 2026

Photograph: Anikona/Getty Images “There is no single point at which greens suddenly stop being nutritious,” she adds.

The Guardian· 14 Aug 2026

Learned borrowing from Latin nūtrītius, from nūtrītus, from nūtrīre.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated