ENCOURAGEMENT

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does encouragement mean? 

• ENCOURAGEMENT (noun)
  The noun ENCOURAGEMENT has 3 senses:

1. the expression of approval and support

2. the act of giving hope or support to someone

3. the feeling of being encouraged

  Familiarity information: ENCOURAGEMENT used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ENCOURAGEMENT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The expression of approval and support

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("encouragement" is a kind of...):

approval; commendation (a message expressing a favorable opinion)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "encouragement"):

abetment; abettal; instigation (the verbal act of urging on)

cheering; shouting (encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators)

advancement; furtherance; promotion (encouragement of the progress or growth or acceptance of something)

fosterage; fostering (encouragement; aiding the development of something)

goad; goading; prod; prodding; spur; spurring; urging (a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something)

incitement; provocation (needed encouragement)

vote of confidence (an expression of approval and encouragement)

Antonym:

discouragement (the expression of opposition and disapproval)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The act of giving hope or support to someone

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

boost; encouragement

Hypernyms ("encouragement" is a kind of...):

aid; assist; assistance; help (the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "encouragement"):

morale booster; morale building (anything that serves to increase morale)

Derivation:

encourage (contribute to the progress or growth of)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The feeling of being encouraged

Classified under:

Nouns denoting feelings and emotions

Hypernyms ("encouragement" is a kind of...):

hope (the general feeling that some desire will be fulfilled)

Derivation:

encourage (inspire with confidence; give hope or courage to)

 Context examples 

A little harmless flirtation or so will occur, and one is often drawn on to give more encouragement than one wishes to stand by.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Encouragement! I give you encouragement! Sir, you have been entirely mistaken in supposing it.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

White Fang did not need the encouragement.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

"Where's your secret? Play fair, Teddy, or I'll never believe you again," she said, trying to extinguish the brilliant hopes that blazed up at a word of encouragement.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

It was possible that you might retain the feelings of the past, as I did; and one encouragement happened to be mine.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

From all that I hear and guess, Baron Wildenheim's attentions to Julia continue, but I do not know that he has any serious encouragement.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

We can all begin freely—a slight preference is natural enough; but there are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

That's a laudable proceeding on the part of our aunt, at all events, said Steerforth, when I mentioned it; and one deserving of all encouragement.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

The man shouted encouragement and threats, and threw all his weight on the hauling-rope.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

These people are most excellent mathematicians, and arrived to a great perfection in mechanics, by the countenance and encouragement of the emperor, who is a renowned patron of learning.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)