What does encouragement mean?
Encouragement is the act of giving someone support, confidence, or hope, typically through words of praise, reassurance, or approval. It describes both the emotional boost that helps a person persevere through difficulty — a coach's encouragement before a match, a parent's encouragement during exams — and, in a broader institutional sense, any measure that fosters a particular activity, as in government encouragement of investment. The noun derives from the verb encourage, which entered English from Old French encoragier, ultimately rooted in the Latin word cor, meaning heart; to encourage was thus literally to give heart to another person. Warmly positive in connotation, encouragement is a versatile word used across everyday conversation and formal writing alike, and it stands in contrast to discouragement, which erodes rather than builds resolve.
Words or actions that give someone support, confidence, or hope.
"She thanked her colleagues for their constant encouragement throughout the project."
Usually uncountable; the plural is uncommon.
The action of promoting or fostering an activity or development.
"The scheme offers financial incentives as encouragement for recycling."
Often followed by 'of' plus a gerund or noun.
Rare; used mainly to refer to multiple distinct instances of supportive words or acts.
"He kept a drawer full of notes — small encouragements collected over the years."
Encouragement literally means putting courage into someone — it comes from the French corage, from Latin cor, meaning heart.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of encouragement
Encouragement derives from the verb encourage, which English adopted from Old French encoragier, formed from en- ('make, put into') plus corage ('heart, spirit'), itself from Latin cor. First attested in English around the early seventeenth century, the noun originally carried the literal sense of instilling heart or courage. Its cognates include courage and courageous, all tracing back to the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How encouragement is actually used
Encouragement is a positive, warm-toned abstract noun used in both formal and everyday contexts. In British and US English alike it commonly appears with verbs such as give, offer, need, and receive. The plural form is rare and usually appears when referring to multiple separate instances of supportive remarks.
Easily confused with encouragement
Courage is the inner bravery to face fear or difficulty, while encouragement is the external act of inspiring that confidence in someone else.