What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nourish
Example
The mother's milk is essential to nourish the newborn baby. [nourish: verb]
Example
Eating a balanced diet can help nourish your body with the nutrients it needs. [nourish: verb]
maintain
Example
It's important to maintain your car regularly to prevent breakdowns. [maintain: verb]
Example
The company strives to maintain its reputation for quality products. [maintain: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Maintain is more commonly used than nourish in everyday language. Maintain is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while nourish is less common and typically associated with living organisms and nutrition.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between nourish and maintain?
Both nourish and maintain can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, maintain is more versatile and can be employed in a wider range of formality levels than nourish.