encourage

The word “encourage” means to give someone confidence, support, or hope. In plain terms, to cheer someone on or make them more likely to do something.

“Encourage” is pronounced ihn-KUHR-ihj (/ɪnˈkʌɹ.ɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).

Here is “encourage” used in a sentence: “Her coach encouraged her to keep trying after the loss.”

“Encourage” is a verb.

The word “encourage” comes from Old French. From Old French encoragier, from en- + corage ("courage, heart").

“Encourage” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

They are opposites. To encourage someone is to give them confidence, support, or hope so they feel able to do something. To discourage someone is to take that confidence away, making them feel less willing or able. Encourage pushes a person forward; discourage holds them back.

Yes. Encourage carries a warm, positive meaning because it involves supporting people and building their confidence. It suggests kindness and belief in someone's ability. The word can also mean to promote an activity, as in 'encourage recycling,' where it means to actively support or foster something.

A teacher might encourage a nervous student by praising their effort and reminding them how far they have come. You can also encourage an action rather than a person, such as 'the campaign encouraged people to vote,' meaning it urged and supported them in doing so.

The most direct opposite is discourage. Related opposites include dishearten, deter, and dissuade, which all involve reducing someone's confidence or willingness to act. Where encourage builds people up and spurs them on, these words wear them down or talk them out of something.