supportive
suh-PAW-tihv
Supportive (adj) means giving encouragement, help, or approval. Example: “My teacher was very supportive when I decided to try the harder course.”
adj
1
Giving encouragement, help, or approval.
"My teacher was very supportive when I decided to try the harder course."
"Her parents were incredibly supportive of her career change."
"He has a supportive network of friends."
How to use supportive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOffering encouragement, help, or emotional backing.
Common pairings
supportive friends
supportive environment
be supportive of
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more supportive
- Superlative
- most supportive
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My teacher was very _____ when I decided to try the harder course.
Etymology
From support + -ive.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
unsupportive
Related words
Rhymes for supportive
See all rhymes for supportive →Frequently asked questions
What does “supportive” mean?
The word “supportive” means giving encouragement, help, or approval. In plain terms, offering encouragement, help, or emotional backing.
How do you pronounce “supportive”?
“Supportive” is pronounced suh-PAW-tihv (/səˈpɔɹtɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “supportive” in a sentence?
Here is “supportive” used in a sentence: “Her parents were incredibly supportive of her career change.”
What part of speech is “supportive”?
“Supportive” is an adjective.
Is “supportive” a common word?
“Supportive” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
Is it "supportive of" or "supportive to"?
The standard preposition is "of": you are supportive of a person, a plan, or a decision. "Supportive to" sounds nonstandard in most contexts; if "to" feels needed, rephrase with the noun instead — "she has been a great support to her family."
What is the difference between "supportive" and "encouraging"?
"Encouraging" focuses on words and signals that build someone's confidence to act. "Supportive" is broader — giving encouragement, but also practical help and approval. A supportive colleague may share the workload as well as cheer you on; an encouraging one mainly lifts your morale.
What is the difference between being supportive and enabling?
Being supportive means giving encouragement, help, or approval that serves someone's genuine wellbeing. "Enabling," in its popular sense, means helping in a way that lets someone continue harmful behaviour — covering for a problem instead of helping the person face it. Support builds people up; enabling shields them from consequences.
What is the noun form of "supportive"?
The everyday noun is "support" — the encouragement, help, or approval itself — and the quality of being supportive is "supportiveness." So you thank someone for their support, and you might praise a team's supportiveness.
