nurse
/nɜːs/ (bre, ipa) · [nˈɚs] /nɜːrs/ (ame, ipa) · [nˈɚs] /ˈnərs/ (ame, mw) · [nˈɚs] /nɝːs/ (ame, ipa)
nurse — noun
- nursesingular
- nursesplural
1. someone whose work is to give medical care to ill or hurt patients, and also the
someone whose work is to give medical care to ill or hurt patients, and also the title used for that worker.
Nadia asked the nurse whether her father could drink water yet.
ask the nurse whether + clause
A night nurse checked Karim's temperature every hour after the surgery.
night nurse + checked + patient detail
The school nurse cleaned Eve's cut and called her mother.
Christopher thanked the nurse who stayed beside his bed all night.
- carer
broader word that is not limited to medical work
- medical attendant
formal and much less common in everyday speech
文法句型
ask/call the nurse
school/night/ward nurse
用法筆記
Often appears with compounds such as 'school nurse' and 'night nurse'. The word can name both the profession and the person who is caring for a patient at that moment.
2. a woman paid to look after babies or very young children, especially in the fami
a woman paid to look after babies or very young children, especially in the family's home.
The twins ran to their nurse when thunder shook the windows.
their nurse = child carer in the home
In the diary, the nurse walked the baby around the garden at dusk.
the nurse + cared for the baby
The wealthy family hired a nurse to mind the children in Bath.
The little boy fell asleep while his nurse sang beside the fire.
- nanny
the usual modern word in everyday British English
- childminder
often used for someone caring for children as a regular job
文法句型
hire/keep a nurse
the children's nurse
用法筆記
This sense is mainly found in older British writing. In present-day everyday English, people more often say 'nanny' or another childcare term.
nurse — verb
- nursepresent simple I / you / we / they
- nurses3rd person singular
- nursing-ing form
- nursedpast simple
1. to look after a sick person or animal and do what is needed until they are bette
to look after a sick person or animal and do what is needed until they are better.
Élise nursed her grandfather after he came home from the hospital.
nurse + family member after hospital stay
The shelter nursed an injured fox until it could run again.
nurse + injured animal until recovery
After the storm, neighbors nursed Ryan through a week of fever.
Tanvi stayed home to nurse her dog after the operation.
- care for
broader and less specifically medical
- look after
everyday phrase that can also cover non-medical care
- attend to
slightly more formal and often shorter-term
- neglect
to fail to give needed care
文法句型
nurse + person/animal
nurse + someone + through + illness/period
用法筆記
The object is the person or animal receiving care, not the illness itself. A phrase with 'through' often adds the difficult period the carer helps them survive.
常見錯誤
2. to give steady time and attention to something so it can become stronger or more
to give steady time and attention to something so it can become stronger or more successful.
Manuela nursed the tomato plants through a cold spring on the balcony.
nurse + plants through + difficult stage
The village library nursed a tiny reading club into a busy weekend program.
nurse + something into + stronger form
Sumin patiently nursed her sketch into a full picture over the summer.
Our teacher nursed the class project from a rough plan to a real robot.
- stifle
to stop growth or development
文法句型
nurse + plant/project/skill + through + difficult stage
nurse + something + into + stronger form
用法筆記
This sense is about patient support over time, often with plants, plans, skills, or young organizations. Distinguish from sense 6, where the thing kept alive is a feeling inside the mind rather than something being developed.
3. to let an illness or an injured body part recover slowly by resting and treating
to let an illness or an injured body part recover slowly by resting and treating it carefully.
After the hike, Christopher nursed a sore knee with ice and sleep.
nurse + injury with + care method
Ryan stayed in bed to nurse a bad cold before exam week.
stay in bed to nurse + illness
The striker sat out two matches to nurse a pulled muscle.
Nadia spent the weekend nursing a blister after the mountain walk.
- rest
names the main action but not the careful management
- recover from
focuses on the result rather than the careful process
- strain
to push the injured part instead of protecting it
文法句型
nurse + injury/illness
nurse + body part + with + rest/ice
用法筆記
The subject is the injured person, and the object is the illness or hurt body part. Unlike sense 1, you are not caring for another living thing; you are managing your own recovery.
常見錯誤
4. to calm a baby or young child by holding them close against your body.
to calm a baby or young child by holding them close against your body.
Eve nursed the crying baby until the fireworks ended outside.
nurse + crying baby until calmer
The father sat by the window, nursing his toddler through the noise.
nurse + child through + upsetting event
Yael nursed the sleepy child against her shoulder on the bus ride home.
When the fever rose, the grandmother nursed the little boy in her arms.
文法句型
nurse + baby/child
nurse + child + in your arms
用法筆記
This sense is about holding and calming a child, not feeding one. Distinguish from sense 5, where the mother gives milk to the baby.
5. to feed a baby with milk directly from the mother's breast.
to feed a baby with milk directly from the mother's breast.
Nadia nursed her newborn in a quiet room before the guests arrived.
nurse + newborn in a quiet room
The clinic teaches new mothers how to nurse a baby comfortably.
teach mothers how to nurse a baby
At noon, the mother stepped aside to nurse her son in private.
Sumin nursed the baby every three hours during the first week.
- breastfeed
the most direct modern synonym
- feed
too broad on its own, because feeding can happen in many ways
文法句型
nurse + baby
nurse + baby + every few hours
用法筆記
Only use this sense when the baby is fed at the breast. Distinguish from sense 4, which is about holding a child to calm them rather than giving milk.
6. to continue carrying a feeling, hope, or private thought inside you over a long
to continue carrying a feeling, hope, or private thought inside you over a long period.
Karim still nurses anger over the money his brother borrowed.
nurse + anger over + cause
For years, the town nursed hopes of getting a railway station.
nurse hopes of + future result
Tyler nursed a secret wish to study music in Seoul.
After the dispute, both families nursed deep resentment in silence.
- harbor
often used for hidden negative feelings
- hold on to
more conversational and less literary
- cherish
usually warmer and more positive
- let go of
to stop keeping the feeling or wish
文法句型
nurse + anger/grudge/resentment
nurse + hope/wish/dream
用法筆記
This sense often appears with lasting emotions such as anger or resentment, but it can also be used with hopes and wishes. Distinguish from sense 2, where the thing cared for is being developed in the outside world.
7. to make one drink last a long time by taking only very small amounts from it.
to make one drink last a long time by taking only very small amounts from it.
At the reception, Christopher nursed one cup of tea for an hour.
nurse one drink for a long time
The intern stood by the wall, nursing a warm cola and saying little.
nursing a drink while staying quiet
Nadia kept nursing the same glass of juice while others danced.
Too nervous to eat, Karim nursed a soda through the entire meeting.
- gulp
to drink something quickly in large amounts
文法句型
nurse + drink
nurse + the same drink + through + event
用法筆記
This sense is common in social situations when someone keeps the same drink for a long time. It suggests slow, careful drinking rather than thirst.