Origin: French suffix -age
Encourage has 4 different meanings across 1 category:
inspire with confidence; give hope or courage to
"The coach's words encouraged her enough to tackle the difficult jump despite being terrified of heights."
To mentally support; to motivate, give courage, hope or spirit.
"After failing her first exam, Sarah's teacher stayed late to encourage her by sharing stories of students who had overcome similar struggles."
In plain English: To encourage means to give someone support, confidence, or hope so they feel brave enough to try something.
"My teacher encouraged me to ask questions whenever I was confused."
Usage: Use encourage to describe actions that boost someone's confidence or motivation to try something. It applies when you offer positive reinforcement rather than just giving advice or information.
The word "encourage" entered Middle English from the Anglo-Norman phrase encoragier, which originally meant to make someone brave or spirited. Although its modern spelling suggests a combination of "en-" and "courage," it was actually borrowed directly as a single unit rather than being formed within English itself.