encourage

/ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒ/ verb [T]

Definition

MAKE DO/HAPPEN › to make someone more likely to do something, or make something more likely to happen: [+ to do sth] My parents encouraged me to try new things. Cutting back plants will encourage growth.

GIVE CONFIDENCE/HOPE › to give someone confidence or hope: My parents encouraged me when things weren't going well at school. → Opposite discourage

encouragement noun [C, U] › Children need lots of encouragement from their parents.

(Definition of encourage verb from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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