Nearby Words
verb (used with object), -aged, -ag·ing.
1.
to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence: His coach encouraged him throughout the marathon race to keep on running.
2.
to stimulate by assistance, approval, etc.: One of the chief duties of a teacher is to encourage students.
3.
to promote, advance, or foster: Poverty often encourages crime.
Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English encoragen < Anglo-French, Middle French encorag(i)er. See en-1, courage
1400–50; late Middle English encoragen < Anglo-French, Middle French encorag(i)er. See en-1, courage
Related forms
en·cour·ag·er, noun
en·cour·ag·ing·ly, adverb
o·ver·en·cour·age, verb (used with object), -aged, -ag·ing.
pre·en·cour·age, verb (used with object), -aged, -ag·ing.
re·en·cour·age, verb (used with object), -aged, -ag·ing.
EXPANDSynonyms
1. embolden, hearten, reassure. 2. urge; support, aid, help.
1. embolden, hearten, reassure. 2. urge; support, aid, help.
Antonyms
1. discourage, dishearten.
1. discourage, dishearten.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Encourage
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is fletcherise. Does it mean:
| to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly. |
| to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable. |
Example Sentences
- Find someone who will lose weight with you or encourage you along the way.
- We encourage creativity and the capacity for individual discovery through smart fun.
- Mint should be harvested aggressively to encourage fresh growth.
Collins
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
encourage
late 15c., from O.Fr. encouragier, from en- "make, put in" + corage (see courage).
EXPAND"As a general rule, Providence seldom vouchsafes to mortals any more than just that degree of encouragement which suffices to keep them at a reasonably full exertion of their powers." [Nathaniel Hawthorne]Related: Encouraged; encouraging.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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