Definition

1. Noun:
   • The feeling of being encouraged: A positive emotional state resulting from receiving support, hope, or approval.
   • The act of giving hope or support to someone: The action of inspiring confidence, providing motivation, or offering positive reinforcement to another person.
   • The expression of approval and support: Words, gestures, or actions that convey endorsement, praise, or backing for someone's efforts or actions.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Her kind words provided the encouragement I needed to continue. (The positive expression gave me the necessary support.)
  • The teacher's constant encouragement helped the shy student participate more. (The teacher's supportive actions boosted the student's confidence.)
  • He succeeded thanks to the encouragement of his family. (The supportive backing from his family contributed to his success.)

Advanced Usage

• "A word of encouragement": A brief supportive or hopeful statement.
  • Sometimes, all someone needs is a simple word of encouragement.
• "To act as an encouragement": To serve as a motivating factor or stimulus.
  • The early success acted as an encouragement to expand the project further.

Variants and Related Words

• Encourage (verb): To give support, confidence, or hope to someone.
  • I encourage you to apply for the scholarship.
• Encouraging (adjective): Giving someone support, confidence, or hope; promising.
  • The initial test results were very encouraging.
• Encourager (noun): A person who encourages others.
  • She was a great encourager to young artists.

Synonyms

• Support: To give assistance, backing, or approval.
• Motivation: The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way; the general desire or willingness to do something.
• Reinforcement: The action or process of strengthening or encouraging a pattern of behavior.

Related Phrases

• Moral encouragement: Non-material support, such as approval or emotional backing.
  • The team relied on the moral encouragement from their fans.
• Shout of encouragement: A loud, supportive cry.
  • A shout of encouragement came from the crowd as the runner neared the finish line.

Related Idioms

• "To give someone a pat on the back": To praise or express approval for someone's achievement (an informal form of encouragement).
  • The manager gave her a pat on the back for handling the difficult client so well.

Noun

1. the feeling of being encouraged
2. the act of giving hope or support to someone
3. the expression of approval and support