encouraging

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ɪnˈkʌɹɪd͡ʒɪŋ/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ɪnˈkɝɹɪd͡ʒɪŋ/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Hyphenation: en‧cour‧aging

encouraging (comparative more encouraging, superlative most encouraging)

1. Giving courage, confidence or hope; auspicious.

   Synonym: promising

   Although there is no cure for the disease yet, the research results are encouraging.

   There are some encouraging signs of economic recovery.

2. Supporting by giving encouragement: positively.

   Your encouraging words inspired me to persevere.

• encouragingly
• encouragingness

encouraging

1. present participle and gerund of encourage

encouraging (plural encouragings)

1. encouragement
   • 1853, The Living Age, volume 37, page 58:

     […] the thousand little ties of sympathy and mutual hopes and fears, comfortings and encouragings.