French word

encouragement

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃kuʁaʒəmɑ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounencouragement

Example

Un petit encouragement peut tout changer.

A little encouragement can change everything.

Illustration for encouragement (encouragement)

More examples

Il a besoin d'encouragement pour continuer.

He needs encouragement to continue.

Core concept

A spoken word or gesture that puts courage or motivation into someone facing a challenge.

Common phrases

  • donner de l'encouragement

    give encouragement

  • recevoir un encouragement

    receive encouragement

  • avoir besoin d'encouragement

    need encouragement

Similar words

soutien: Practical help or moral backing for someone in trouble.
réconfort: Reassurance that softens distress and helps someone feel calm.
motivation: The inner drive to continue with an action or effort.
compliment: A short remark that praises a particular good quality.

Definition in French

Soutien exprimé par des paroles ou des gestes pour donner du courage ou de la motivation.

Word origin

French encouragement derives from encourager, formed with en- and courage, plus -ment to make a noun for the resulting act or support.

Usage tips

  • Encouragement is masculine in French, so the form is un encouragement and the plural is des encouragements.

Other meanings

  • supportnoun

Opposites

  • découragementdiscouragementnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word