encourage

verb

in-KUR-ij/ɪnˈkɝ.ɪd͡ʒ/UKin-KU-rij/ɪnˈkʌɹ.ɪd͡ʒ/

Formsencourages, encouraging, encouraged

3 meanings of encourage

1
verbtransitive
To give someone mental support, courage, hope, or confidence to keep going.
Good teachers encourage students who are afraid to ask questions.
His mentor encouraged him through the hardest months of his recovery.
Similarmotivate, hearten, embolden, inspire, excite
Oppositediscourage, dishearten
2
verbtransitive
To urge someone toward an action by strongly recommending that they take it.
Financial advisors encourage clients to start saving early.
The committee encouraged residents to attend the public meeting.
Similarurge, advise, recommend, prompt, suggest
Oppositediscourage, dissuade, deter
3
verbtransitive
To foster the growth or success of something by giving it help, money, or backing.
Subsidies encourage farming in regions that would otherwise be abandoned.
The foundation encouraged the arts through generous annual grants.
Similarfoster, promote, nurture, support
Oppositediscourage, hinder, inhibit, stifle

Practice

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Origin

This word came from Middle English encouragen, which came from Anglo-Norman encoragier, from Old French encoragier. By its parts it is en- plus courage, and it replaced the native Old English words hiertan, tyhtan, and trymman.