Etymologically
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encourage

Etymology and origin of the English word encourage

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Borrowing
First attested
1429
Borrowed from
Middle French encoragier via Middle English
Ultimate origin
Old French (encoragier)

Pronunciation

  • IPA: UK /ɪnˈkʌr.ɪdʒ/, /enˈkʌr.ɪdʒ/, US /enˈkɝː.ɪdʒ/, /ɪnˈkɝː.ɪdʒ/[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English encoragen, borrowed from Middle French encoragier,[2][3] from Old French en- “make, put in” and corage “courage, heart”.[4][2][5] It is related to courage.[4][2]

Earliest recorded meaning

To inspire with courage, make bold: 1429, in the Rolls of Parliament, according to Barnhart; the early 15th century in Etymonline and 1490 in the OED.[2][4][6]

Semantic evolution

To incite or induce, or more weakly to advise, is from 1483.[6] To stimulate people or efforts by help or reward is from 1668,[6] and to promote the growth of something, such as trade or a plant, from 1677.[6] Encouragement is from 1568.[2]

Timeline

  • 1429 – to inspire with courage.[2]
  • 1483 – to incite, advise.[6]
  • 1668 – to stimulate by help.[6]
  • 1677 – to promote growth.[6]

Modern meaning

Verb

  1. To give someone confidence or hope.
  2. To try to persuade someone to do something.
  3. To help something develop or grow; to foster.

Word family

  • encourager
  • encouragingly
  • encouragement
  • encouraging
  • overencourage
  • reencourage
  • courage
  • discourage

Usage notes

Encourage, animate, cheer, embolden, hearten and inspirit all mean to give courage, inspiration and resolution to someone.[7]

References

  1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  2. ^ a b c d e f Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  3. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  5. ^ Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin

Related etymologies

Cite this entry

“Encourage.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/encourage. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·