›to help someone to feel confident and able to do something, or to give advice to someone to do something: Our parents always encouraged us to ask questions.›If something encourages an activity, it supports it or makes it more likely: The city needs to encourage job creation.encouragement
/ɪnˈkɜr·ɪdʒ·mənt/, /-ˈkʌr·ɪdʒ-/n[U]›My parents gave me encouragement and support.encouraging
/ɪnˈkɜr·ə·dʒɪŋ/, /-ˈkʌr·ə-/adj›Early results of the experiment were extremely encouraging.