nutritional
UK[njuːˈtrɪʃənəl]US[nuːˈtrɪʃənəl]
adj
Relating to the process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth.
adj
Containing substances that help your body to be healthy.
Morpheme Breakdown
nutrit
ion
al
nutrit
to nourish
ion
noun suffix
al
adjective suffix
Etymology
The word 'nutritional' is built upon the Latin verb nutrire, meaning "to nourish or suckle." This root is shared with words like 'nurture' and 'nourish,' all pointing to the fundamental act of providing life-sustaining food. The addition of the noun-forming suffix '-ion' created 'nutrition,' the abstract process or science of nourishment. Finally, the adjectival suffix '-al' was appended, transforming the noun into an adjective that describes anything pertaining to or possessing the qualities of good nourishment. Thus, the term elegantly traces a path from the concrete act of feeding to the modern, science-informed concept of dietary health.
Analysis
Structure: nutrit (to nourish) + ion (noun suffix) + al (adjective suffix)
- nutrit: From Latin nutrire (to nourish, suckle, feed). This root conveys the core concept of providing sustenance.
- ion: A suffix of Latin origin used to form nouns denoting an action, process, or state.
- al: A suffix of Latin origin (-alis) used to form adjectives meaning "of, relating to, or characterized by."
Examples
The nutritional value of fresh vegetables is very high.
This label provides all the necessary nutritional information.
She is studying to become a nutritional therapist.