French word

enhardir

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃aʁdiʁ/

Meaning

  • verbembolden

Example

Sa victoire l'enhardit.

His victory emboldened him.

Illustration for enhardir (embolden)

More examples

Ses amis l'enhardissent à parler en public.

His friends embolden him to speak in public.

Core concept

A frightened person is pushed past hesitation by a force that makes bold action possible.

Common phrases

  • enhardir quelqu'un à + infinitif

    embolden someone to + infinitive

Similar words

encourager: To boost someone's spirits or confidence so action feels easier.
motiver: To inspire the desire and purpose needed to take action.
inciter: To prompt someone toward a particular course of action.
stimuler: To stimulate interest or emotion and increase activity.

Definition in French

Provoquer chez quelqu'un un sentiment de courage ou d'audace, le pousser à agir malgré la peur.

Word origin

Enhardir combines the Old French prefix en- with hardir, meaning to make bold, which comes from hardi and ultimately from a Germanic root linked with strength.

Usage tips

  • The person affected by enhardir is normally a direct object, so French uses le, la, or l' rather than a preposition before the pronoun.

Other meanings

  • encourageverb

Opposites

Related words

  • enhardissementemboldeningnoun

Word lists with this word