adj · noun · verb · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/ɪnˈkʌɹɪd͡ʒɪŋ/
General-American:/ɪnˈkɝɹɪd͡ʒɪŋ/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:EH0 N K ER1 IH0 JH IH0 NG
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
CMU ARPABET 2:IH0 N K ER1 AH0 JH IH0 NG
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Giving courage, confidence or hope; auspicious.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Although there is no cure for the disease yet, the research results are encouraging.
There are some encouraging signs of economic recovery.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: promising
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Supporting by giving encouragement: positively.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Your encouraging words inspired me to persevere.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
encouragement
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
verb
Meaning 4
present participle and gerund of encourage
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: form-of, gerund, participle, present
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
adjective
Meaning 5
giving courage or confidence or hope
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
encouraging advances in medical research
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: discouraging
6
adjective satellite
Meaning 6
furnishing support and encouragement
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
the anxious child needs supporting and accepting treatment from the teacher
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: supporting
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
No etymology was provided for this word.
Across languages
Translations
32 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Belarusian:
абнадзе́йлівы
(abnadzjéjlivy)
— giving courage, confidence or hope
Bulgarian:
окуража́ващ
(okuražávašt)
— giving courage, confidence or hope
Catalan:
encoratjador
— giving courage, confidence or hope
Finnish:
rohkaiseva
— giving courage, confidence or hope
Finnish:
lupaava
— giving courage, confidence or hope
German:
ermutigend
— giving courage, confidence or hope
Greek:
παροτρυντικός
(parotryntikós)
— giving courage, confidence or hope
Hungarian:
bátorító
— giving courage, confidence or hope
Italian:
incoraggiante
— giving courage, confidence or hope
Italian:
rassicurante
— giving courage, confidence or hope
Latin:
hortāns
— giving courage, confidence or hope
Latin:
exhortāns
— giving courage, confidence or hope
Lithuanian:
padrąsinantis
— giving courage, confidence or hope
Lithuanian:
padrąsinanti
— giving courage, confidence or hope
Russian:
обнадёживающий
(obnadjóživajuščij)
— giving courage, confidence or hope
Russian:
ободри́тельный
(obodrítelʹnyj)
— giving courage, confidence or hope
Russian:
ободря́ющий
(obodrjájuščij)
— giving courage, confidence or hope
Scottish Gaelic:
misneachail
— giving courage, confidence or hope
Slovak:
povzbudzujúci
— giving courage, confidence or hope
Spanish:
alentador
— giving courage, confidence or hope
Spanish:
esperanzador
— giving courage, confidence or hope
Spanish:
halagüeño
— giving courage, confidence or hope
Ukrainian:
обнаді́йливий
(obnadíjlyvyj)
— giving courage, confidence or hope
Bulgarian:
насърчителен
(nasǎrčitelen)
— supporting by giving encouragement
Catalan:
encoratjador
— supporting by giving encouragement
Finnish:
rohkaiseva
— supporting by giving encouragement
Russian:
ободря́ющий
(obodrjájuščij)
— supporting by giving encouragement
Russian:
подба́дривающий
(podbádrivajuščij)
— supporting by giving encouragement
Scottish Gaelic:
misneachail
— supporting by giving encouragement
Slovak:
povzbudzujúci
— supporting by giving encouragement
Swedish:
uppmuntrande
— supporting by giving encouragement
Ukrainian:
підбадьо́рливий
(pidbadʹórlyvyj)
— supporting by giving encouragement
