encourage

== English == === Alternative forms === incourage (archaic) === 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. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ɪnˈkʌɹ.ɪd͡ʒ/, (US, hurry–furry merger) /ɪnˈkɝ.ɪd͡ʒ/ Hyphenation: en‧cour‧age (Indic) IPA(key): /ɛn.kəˈreː.d͡ʒ/ Hyphenation: en‧cou‧rage === Verb === encourage (third-person singular simple present encourages, present participle encouraging, simple past and past participle encouraged) (transitive) To mentally support; to motivate, give courage, hope or spirit. Synonyms: bield, embolden, hearten; see also Thesaurus:incite Antonyms: discourage, dishearten To spur on, strongly recommend. Synonyms: exhort; see also Thesaurus:advise To foster, give help or patronage. Synonyms: promote; see also Thesaurus:nurture ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== courage ==== Translations ==== == French == === Pronunciation === === Verb === encourage inflection of encourager: first/third-person singular present indicative/subjunctive singular imperative