Encourage
/ɪnˈkʌr.ɪdʒ/noun
To give someone support, confidence, or hope.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin cor, meaning “heart,” so to encourage someone was originally to literally strengthen their heart and spirit.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
cor
“heart”
Late Latin
Latin
incorāre
“to put heart into, encourage”
Old French
Old French
encoragier
“to hearten, encourage”
14th Century
English
encouragen
“to give courage or confidence to”
Modern English
English
encourage
“to give support, confidence, or hope”