hearten

[ hahr-tn ]
See synonyms for: heartenheartenedheartening on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to give courage or confidence to; cheer.

Origin of hearten

1
First recorded in 1520–30; heart + -en1

Other words from hearten

  • heart·en·er, noun
  • heart·en·ing·ly, adverb

Words Nearby hearten

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use hearten in a sentence

  • Andy Green rolled over and sent him a friendly glance just to hearten him a bit.

    The Happy Family | Bertha Muzzy Bower
  • I cried, to hearten me—for we were both counting the days now between us and the fishing.

    The Adventures of Harry Revel | Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
  • I could not hear what he said, but the men began to count off, and their voices were resolute enough to hearten all.

    The Little Red Foot | Robert W. Chambers
  • Then it was that Isaac's nonsense really served to hearten us.

    Benjamin of Ohio | James Otis
  • The way was led by the clergy, and quickly a church was built to hearten the emigrants.

British Dictionary definitions for hearten

hearten

/ (ˈhɑːtən) /


verb
  1. to make or become cheerful

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012