encouragement
Americannoun
-
the act of encouraging.
-
the state of being encouraged.
-
something that encourages.
Praise is the greatest encouragement.
- Synonyms:
- endorsement, lift, boost, support, praise
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of encouragement
Explanation
When you help someone by offering positive words of support and approval, that's encouragement. It must have been the words of encouragement you gave in the airport lounge that helped your friend board the plane. Within the word encouragement we see the word "courage," which means the ability to face danger and deal with it. To encourage, then, is to help develop that ability in someone, while the "ment" at the end makes that development into a noun, the act of giving courage or support to another. You needed a little encouragement to try horse riding again, after your injuries healed.
Vocabulary lists containing encouragement
Catching Fire
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"Refugees Find New Lives"
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Taste of Salt
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"It is an encouragement to protect... one of the very pristine evergreen forests in this Cardamom Mountains."
From Barron's • Jun. 25, 2026
The men offer encouragement as birds circle above.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2026
At the start of the second set, Raducanu implored her team for more vocal encouragement - and the home crowd further increased their level of support.
From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026
They also provide what he describes as 'molecules of emotional health', small but meaningful moments of encouragement, attention, and understanding that help strengthen children's 'emotional immune systems'.
From Science Daily • Jun. 13, 2026
Look for songs with themes of friends, help, or general encouragement.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
