Word
encourage
Phoneticsen·cour·age, stress on the second syllable
US/ɛnˈkɝɪdʒ/
UK/ɛnkˈʌɹɪdʒ/
Definitions
01to give confidence
B1 · Intermediate
v. to give someone hope or confidence so they feel they can succeed.
v. to provide someone with the courage, spirit, or confidence necessary to pursue a goal.
“My parents always encouraged me to follow my dreams, even when things were difficult.”
“The mentor's positive feedback encouraged the young researcher to persevere with her experiments despite the initial setbacks.”
Usage
Takes a direct object followed by a 'to-infinitive' clause.
Pitfall
My teacher encouraged me for studying harder.
My teacher encouraged me to study harder.
The verb 'encourage' is followed by an object and a 'to-infinitive', not the preposition 'for'.
Antonyms
02to recommend or spur on
B1 · Intermediate
v. to suggest that someone should do something because it is a good idea.
v. to strongly recommend a specific course of action or to spur someone toward a decision.
“The doctor encouraged him to eat more vegetables and exercise every day.”
“The government is encouraging citizens to switch to electric vehicles by offering significant tax incentives and subsidies.”
Antonyms
03to foster or help grow
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to help something happen or develop.
v. to promote, foster, or stimulate the development and growth of a process or activity.
“The new laws were designed to encourage investment in small businesses.”
“Warm weather and high humidity encourage the growth of various types of fungi in the forest.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “encourage” in context.
Verb
01. aim to encourage
“The new law aims to encourage small business growth.”
verb + inf
02. encourage development
“The program helps to encourage the development of social skills.”
verb + noun
03. encourage growth
“Lower interest rates are designed to encourage economic growth.”
verb + noun
04. encourage participation
“The organizers hope to encourage participation from all age groups.”
verb + noun
05. seek to encourage
“The government seeks to encourage investment in renewable energy.”
verb + inf
Noun
06. actively encourage
“The school actively encourages parents to get involved in local events.”
adv + verb
07. encourage by support
“She felt encouraged by the support of her colleagues.”
verb + prep + noun
08. greatly encourage
“The positive feedback greatly encouraged the young artist to keep painting.”
adv + verb
09. strongly encourage
“We strongly encourage all students to participate in the workshop.”
adv + verb
10. be encouraged by the
“Investors were encouraged by the company's recent profits.”
11. encourage a sense of
“Team sports encourage a sense of community among players.”
12. encourage someone to do
“My teacher encouraged me to apply for the scholarship.”
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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