encourage
ihn-KUHR-ihj
Encourage (verb) means to give someone confidence, support, or hope. Example: “Her coach encouraged her to keep trying after the loss.”
verb
1
To give someone confidence, support, or hope.
"Delia's coach encouraged her to focus on the positives."
"Her coach encouraged her to keep trying after the loss."
"The good weather encouraged people to eat outdoors."
""It's a lose-lose situation. It can be turned into a win-win. We should be encouraging and supporting expensive bi-mode freight locomotives, especially where capacity is constrained."
— Paul Clifton, How can freight be a major part of rail's future? (2024)
"Kind words from her friends encouraged her to apply for the job."
"I encouraged him during his race."
How to use encourage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo cheer someone on or make them more likely to do something.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
encourage someone to
strongly encourage
encourage growth
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- encourages
- Past tense
- encouraged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her coach _____ her to keep trying after the loss.
Etymology
From Old French encoragier, from en- + corage ("courage, heart").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for encourage
See all rhymes for encourage →Frequently asked questions
What does “encourage” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “encourage”?
“Encourage” is pronounced ihn-KUHR-ihj (/ɪnˈkʌɹ.ɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “encourage” in a sentence?
Here is “encourage” used in a sentence: “Her coach encouraged her to keep trying after the loss.”
What part of speech is “encourage”?
“Encourage” is a verb.
Where does the word “encourage” come from?
The word “encourage” comes from Old French. From Old French encoragier, from en- + corage ("courage, heart").
Is “encourage” a common word?
“Encourage” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between encourage and discourage?
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.
Is encourage a positive word?
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.
What is an example of encourage?
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.
What is the opposite of encourage?
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.
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