encourage

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   give impetus to

   Our financial success encouraged us to look for a house.

2. 2
   verb

   To mentally support; to motivate, give courage, hope or spirit.

   I encouraged him during his race.

3. 3
   verb

   To spur on, strongly recommend.

   We encourage the use of bicycles in the town centre.

4. 4
   verb

   To foster, give help or patronage.

   The royal family has always encouraged the arts in word and deed.

5. 5
   verb

   inspire with confidence

6. 6
   verb

   contribute to the progress or growth of

Etymology

From Middle English encouragen, encoragen, from Anglo-Norman encoragier, from Old French encoragier. Displaced native Old English hiertan, tyhtan, and trymman. By surface analysis, en- + courage.