feed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "feed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a noun to refer to food given to an animal or a person, or as a verb to mean to give food to an animal or a person. For example: My cat loves to eat, so I need to feed her twice a day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If you feed your dog cheap food - well try picking that up".

The Guardian - Business

In the same way that people are concerned about what they feed their kids they are concerned about what they are feeding their pets".

The Guardian - Business

In fact my home is quite fragrant, and the smell that's likely to waft the way of our frequent visitors is not urine but the spaghetti bolognese boiling on the cooker to feed the three kids.

The Guardian - Opinion

But then there was my dad's dear face twinkling out at me from my Twitter feed.

The Guardian

Over and over, those of us who work on the internet are told, "Don't feed the trolls.

The Guardian

The official festival "live feed" blog states, "No further updates".

The Guardian - Music

Division means tension, choice - the things that stories feed on.

The Guardian - Books

The lies that he'll feed yer like "I'll break up the media" But without all that "giddy euphoria".

The Guardian - Opinion

Its creators call it a "piece of green urban furniture", and it acts as a Wi-Fi station and phone recharger, using solar energy stored in batteries to feed out juice regardless of the weather or time of day.

The Guardian

The airline company on Wednesday released a statement saying that after an investigation, the employee of Shuttle America – a company United uses to feed their services – will no longer be allowed to work on its flights.

The Guardian

Filled with humour and almost real-time practical advice about the weekly price movements of supermarket food, it is a plain-speaking, practical austerity cookery guide – quite literally how to feed yourself and your toddler on £10 a week, in ways that are healthy, tasty and, importantly (to relieve the tedium of baked beans), varied.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feed" in technical contexts, be precise about what is being supplied. For example, specify "feed data" instead of just "feed".

Common error

Avoid using "feed" too broadly. While versatile, overusing it can lead to ambiguity. If you "feed" something, specify what is being fed and the purpose of feeding it. If you don't do this, your writing will be seen as vague and ineffective.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "feed" is as a verb, indicating the action of providing nourishment or supplying something. It can also function as a noun, referring to the food given to animals. Ludwig AI provides several examples that highlight these distinct usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

8%

Reference

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "feed" is a versatile term functioning primarily as a verb denoting the act of providing nourishment or supplying something, and secondarily as a noun that represents food given to animals or a data stream. As Ludwig AI's analysis confirms, "feed" follows standard grammatical rules and is considered correct. With a "Very common" frequency across sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, its usage spans from general news to formal business contexts. To avoid ambiguity, it's advisable to be specific when employing "feed", clarifying what exactly is being supplied. Its diverse applications and consistent usage make it a reliable term in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give food to

Represents a more basic and direct way of expressing the action of providing food.

nourish

Focuses on providing essential nutrients for growth and health, shifting the emphasis from simply giving food.

provide sustenance

Highlights the act of supplying what is necessary to maintain life, offering a more formal tone.

fuel

Emphasizes the energy-providing aspect of food, often used in a metaphorical sense.

cater to

Implies satisfying a need or desire, not necessarily limited to food, broadening the context.

prey

Refers to animals eating other animals for food.

supply with

Indicates providing something necessary or useful, extending beyond just food.

minister to

Suggests attending to someone's needs or desires, often with a sense of care or service.

feast

Highlights the act of eating plentifully or luxuriously.

indulge

To gratify with special food.

FAQs

How can I use "feed" in a sentence?

You can use "feed" as a verb meaning to give food to someone or something, as in "I need to "feed" the cat". You can also use it as a noun referring to food given to animals such as "They sell "feed" for horses".

What can I say instead of "feed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "nourish", "provide sustenance", or "supply with".

Which is correct, "feed" or "food"?

"Feed" is a verb that indicates the act of giving food or supplying something. "Food" is a noun that refers to what is eaten. For example, you ""feed"" animals "food".

What's the difference between "feed" and "prey"?

"Feed" is a general term for providing food, while "prey" specifically refers to animals that are hunted and killed by other animals for food. You "feed" your pets, but predators "prey" on other animals.