How to pronounce nurture
Say it like NUR-cher. Nurture has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce nurture. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NUR
- cher
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Nurture pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- cherKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of nurture
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: NUR-chuh.
What does nurture mean?
- To nourish or nurse.
- To encourage, especially the growth or development of something.
- The act of nourishing or nursing; tender care
- That which nourishes; food; diet.
- The environmental influences that contribute to a person’s development (as opposed to "nature").
Where does nurture come from?
From Middle English norture, noriture, from Old French norriture, norreture, from Late Latin nutritura (“nourishment”), from Latin nutrire (“to nourish”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with nurture
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of nurture.
Questions about saying nurture
How do you pronounce nurture?
Say NUR-cher. The American pronunciation is /ˈnɝtʃɚ/. In British English it is /ˈnɜːtʃə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in nurture?
Nurture has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NUR). Broken into parts: NUR · cher.
Is nurture pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈnɜːtʃə/ (NUR-chuh).