Etymologically
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encourage

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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

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