to make someone more likely to do something, or to make something more likely to happen: [ T + to infinitive ] We were encouraged to learn foreign languages at school. The council is encouraging the development of the property for both employment and recreation. B1 to talk or behave in a way that gives someone confidence to do something:

to talk or behave in a way that gives someone confidence to do something: encourage someone in something They've always encouraged me in everything I've wanted to do.