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Added 8 October 2026

encourage

/ɪnˈkʌɹ.ɪd͡ʒ/ verb

In Latin: hortor, exhortor, adhortor Wiktionary

verb Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about encourage at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Contribute to the progress or growth of.
I am promoting the use of computers in the classroom
Inspire with confidence; give hope or courage to.
Spur on.
His financial success encouraged him to look for a wife

Origin

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.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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