What does encourage mean in English?

You can learn encourage Pronunciation, Grammar & Synonyms in this most authoritative English Dictionary.

encourage Meaning, Definition, Pronunciation, Grammar & Synonyms❤️

0 to make someone more likely to do something, or to make something more likely to happen:
- [ T + to infinitive ] We were encouraged to learn foreign languages at school.
- The council is encouraging the development of the property for both employment and recreation.
- They've always encouraged me in everything I've wanted to do.
1 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.
- The city needs to encourage job creation.

The new teaching methods encourage children to think for themselves.
We encourage the victims to talk freely about their experiences.
Instead of simply punishing them, the system encourages offenders to modify their behaviour.
His tutor encouraged him to read widely in philosophy.
The city council is encouraging jobsharing to make it easier for parents of young children to work.
Under these plans, convicts were granted access to land and encouraged to bring their families from the mainland.
Journalists were among the key players, encouraging critical debate and public negotiation.
The journal particularly encourages studies which integrate philosophical, historical and sociological considerations.