encourage Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb contribute to the progress or growth of
    advance; promote; boost; further.
    • I am promoting the use of computers in the classroom
  2. verb inspire with confidence; give hope or courage to
  3. verb spur on
    • His financial success encouraged him to look for a wife

WordNet

En*cour"age transitive verb
Etymology
F. encourager; pref. en- (L. in) + courage courage. See Courage.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Encouraged present participle & verbal noun Encouraging
Definitions
  1. To give courage to; to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope; to raise, or to increase, the confidence of; to animate; enhearten; to incite; to help forward; -- the opposite of discourage.
    David encouraged himself in the Lord. 1 Sam. xxx. 6.
    Syn. -- To embolden; inspirit; animate; enhearten; hearten; incite; cheer; urge; impel; stimulate; instigate; countenance; comfort; promote; advance; forward; strengthen.

Webster 1913