DEFINITIONS
The
2019 WORD
OF THE YEAR is...

encourage

[ en-kur-ij, -kuhr- ]
/ ɛnˈkɜr ɪdʒ, -ˈkʌr- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR encourage ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), en·cour·aged, en·cour·ag·ing.

to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence: His coach encouraged him throughout the marathon race to keep on running.
to stimulate by assistance, approval, etc.: One of the chief duties of a teacher is to encourage students.
to promote, advance, or foster: Poverty often encourages crime.

Content related to encourage

7 Literary Classics By Author One-Hit WondersSeven classics works of literature that would today be known as "One-Hit wonders."
READ MORE
wepaRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

Words related to encourage

advocate, benefactor, backer, leader, philanthropist, fan, sponsor, supporter, friend, well-wisher, head, angel, helper, guardian, partisan, sympathizer, guarantor, booster, front, defender

Words nearby encourage

encopresis, encore, encounter, encounter group, encounter session, encourage, encouragement, encrimson, encrinite, encroach, encroachment

Origin of encourage

1400–50; late Middle English encoragen < Anglo-French, Middle French encorag(i)er. See en-1, courage

OTHER WORDS FROM encourage

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for encourager

British Dictionary definitions for encourager

encourage
/ (ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒ) /

verb (tr)

to inspire (someone) with the courage or confidence (to do something)
to stimulate (something or someone to do something) by approval or help; support

Derived forms of encourage

encouragement, nounencourager, nounencouraging, adjectiveencouragingly, adverb
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