ENCOURAGE


Meaning of ENCOURAGE in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ in-ˈkər-ij, -ˈkə-rij, en- ]

transitive verb

( -aged ; -ag·ing )

Etymology: Middle English encoragen, from Anglo-French encorager, from en- + curage courage

Date: 15th century

1.

a. : to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope : hearten

she was encouraged to continue by her early success

b. : to attempt to persuade : urge

they encouraged him to go back to school

2. : to spur on : stimulate

warm weather encourage s plant growth

3. : to give help or patronage to : foster

government grants designed to encourage conservation

• en·cour·ag·er noun

Synonyms:

encourage , inspirit , hearten , embolden mean to fill with courage or strength of purpose. encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency

the teacher's praise encouraged the students to greater efforts

inspirit , somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something

patriots inspirited the people to resist

hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal

a hospital patient heartened by good news

embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance

emboldened by her first success, she tried an even more difficult climb

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.