Dictionary Home »
Dictionary Definitions » encourage
encourage
Encourage is defined as to give someone hope, confidence or support.
(verb)- An example of encourage is telling someone everything is going to be okay.
- An example of encourage is telling a singer they have an amazing voice.
YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.
See encourage in Webster's New World College Dictionary
transitive verb encouraged, encouraging
- to give courage, hope, or confidence to; embolden; hearten
- to give support to; be favorable to; foster; help
Origin: ME encouragen < OFr encoragier: see en- & courage
See encourage in American Heritage Dictionary 4
transitive verb en·cour·aged, en·cour·ag·ing, en·cour·ag·es
- To inspire with hope, courage, or confidence; hearten.
- To give support to; foster: policies designed to encourage private investment.
- To stimulate; spur: burning the field to encourage new plant growth.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English encouragen
Origin: , from Old French encoragier
Origin: : en-, causative pref.; see en-1
Origin: + corage, courage; see courage
.Related Forms:
- en·courˈag·er noun
Learn more about encourage
