encouragingen‧cour‧ag‧ing /ɪnˈkʌrədʒɪŋ $ ɪnˈkɜːr-/ ●●○ S3 adjective 
The encouraging news is that typhoid is on the decrease. The signs are encouraging — but there’s a long way to go.—encouragingly adverb
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- His condition after the surgery looks very encouraging.
- So far the results of our tests have been very encouraging.
- The doctor had some encouraging news -- I would soon be able to walk again.
- There are one or two more encouraging signs in the economy now.
- But their presumptive reasoning has not led to encouraging conclusions.
- Developing a market for it as a fuel is seen as encouraging energy-intensive farm systems.
- It is encouraging to see his experience recognised internationally.
- It was an encouraging day for everyone.
- There are encouraging signs, however.
- These parents are notable for encouraging verbal give-and-take, and share with the child the reasoning behind their policy.
- They were encouraging Nigel and Henry with cheerful cries.
Longman Language Activatormaking you feel more hope
· The fact that the two sides have agreed to hold negotiations is an extremely hopeful sign.look hopeful · Things might get better, but it isn't looking very hopeful right now.sound hopeful · At the interview they told me I was "the right sort of person'. I thought that sounded kind of hopeful.
making you feel more confident and hopeful: · The doctor had some encouraging news -- I would soon be able to walk again.· There are one or two more encouraging signs in the economy now.· So far the results of our tests have been very encouraging.
seeming likely to be good or successful: · The future looks promising for British companies abroad.· The weather outlook for the weekend isn't very promising.· My grandfather gave up a promising career in law to fight for his country.
if something such as a new situation or discovery offers hope , it makes it possible for people to feel more hopeful that a bad situation will improve: offer hope to: · The new treatment may offer hope to thousands of cancer patients.offer hope of: · A recent UN initiative seems to offer some hope of a lasting peace settlement in the region.
to make people more confident than before that what they are hoping for will happen: raise hopes that: · The latest news has raised hopes that another Western hostage might soon be released.raise somebody's hopes: · Speculation in the press about tax cuts has raised everyone's hopes.
formal making people hopeful that good things will happen: · The baseball season got off to an auspicious start with two good wins for the Tokyo Giants.· It is my honour to toast the bride and groom on this auspicious occasion.
something good that gives you hope that a long and difficult period is going to end soon: · For Jane there is some light at the end of the tunnel, but many anorexia sufferers continue to suffer in silence.see the light at the end of the tunnel (=realize that there is hope): · After all the problems we've had we're finally beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel.
something that gives you a small reason to hope that a bad situation will improve: · The news gave a glimmer of hope that Michael might be released from prison early.· The one ray of hope seemed to be the possibility that the enemy would call off their attack because of the weather.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The encouraging news is that typhoid is on the decrease. The signs are encouraging — but there’s a long way to go.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
The encouraging news is that typhoid is on the decrease. The signs are encouraging — but there’s a long way to go. (=when people like something or show interest)· We’ve had a good response from the public.
· If she can move her legs, that’s a good sign.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· As well as its own peat-cutting operations, the company is also encouraging local farmers to use mechanical excavators to exploit their own reserves.· In Aberdeen, attendances were also encouraging with 150 members taking part in 3 meetings.· It is also encouraging that my list could have been longer.· The Region is also encouraging schools to come forward with proposals for particular curriculum models.
· Mr. Pawsey I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for that extremely encouraging response.
· There were more encouraging examples in New Zealand.· Christina hoped they could be more encouraging about this version.· However, prospect was more encouraging than reality.· There is nothing more encouraging and stimulating than successful communication.· Until its grim conclusion, the demonstration had shown El Salvador's more encouraging side.· The results of this were more encouraging than Walker and Amsler's.· The findings are actually somewhat more encouraging from the Tories' point of view than they appear on the surface.
· The most encouraging outcome is patient survival with an improved quality of life.· A most encouraging £650,000 has already been raised and one graduate has promised a major donation.· Health and Safety performance in 1992 was most encouraging.· Responses so far have been most encouraging.· The most encouraging increase of all comes from the Transport equipment sector which has seen exports rise 38% to £223.6 million.· This week will be most encouraging where creative and romantic matters are concerned.· The feedback from the small discussion groups was most encouraging.
· Mr. Greenway Are not those figures very encouraging?· Sir David Smith, Edinburgh's principal, said the results were very encouraging and clearly acknowledged staff quality and commitment.· It was all a lot of fun and of course very encouraging.· The results of this survey were very encouraging to the broadcasters.· Meantime, however, the growth in uptake in the new system is proving very encouraging.· My own experience of his judgement was not very encouraging and did not support the view of his racing omniscience.· Quarried blocks of marble and finished sculptures have been analysed by neutron activation and the results have been very encouraging.· The level of interest shown by employers in the scheme has been very encouraging.
NOUN· It promotes self-monitoring by encouraging children to use the group as well as the teacher as their point of reference.· It is worth encouraging children to eat something at breakfast because they have high calorie and nutrient needs.
· Mrs. Gorman I thank my hon. Friend for that encouraging news.· But hardly had Harry finished imparting this encouraging news when Miriam returned, her face showing deep concern.· There was less encouraging news for Coyle last night; young striker Brian McCarron broke his leg in a freak training accident.
· I do not agree with his analysis about the Government looking after number one and therefore encouraging people to commit crime.· In these circumstances the public interest in encouraging people to report cases of child abuse has been held to outweigh other interests.· But will the banks not then lower their interest rates, thus encouraging people to borrow?· And the idea of encouraging people to use off peak trains can only be commended.· At the beginning of the year they began an advertising campaign encouraging people to save rather than spend.· These findings suggest that media coverage did not play an influential role in encouraging people to participate in the Detroit riot.· Chambers' book nevertheless had a positive effect in encouraging people to think in terms of continuous trends in the development of life.· It's released a video aimed at encouraging people to take a holiday - in Swindon.
· I have, however, had an encouraging response from Emlyn Hughes.· Male speaker It's been an encouraging response, quite a few people remember seeing him here.· Mr. Pawsey I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for that extremely encouraging response.· There has been an encouraging response since the club advertised a few days ago.
· These encouraging results in pilot studies required confirmation in prospective and randomised trials.· A tactful environmental lobby, a sympathetic farmer and a smattering of goodwill on both sides may continue to produce encouraging results.· Recent attention has focused on endoscopic injection with encouraging results.· A variety of studies have introduced capacity utilization variables on the lines of the Capital Stock Adjustment Model, with encouraging results.· However even currently available estimates already show encouraging results in the case 2 scenario described above.· It is functional, and gives very encouraging results.
· There are encouraging signs, however.· The old order may not have changed at the front but there are encouraging signs for the future further down the field.· Surely, the fact that he was out here, calmly taking a holiday, might be an encouraging sign?· Major sees hope for improvement Mr. Major said there were encouraging signs that the situation would improve.· Nevertheless there were some encouraging signs.· There are some encouraging signs that they may benefit from rigorous application of competition policy.· There are now encouraging signs that just such combined action is being taken.· I heard on the television yesterday that thirty-five people had been sacked from the interior ministry so that may be an encouraging sign.
WORD FAMILYadjectiveencouraged ≠ discouragedencouraging ≠ discouragingnounencouragement ≠ discouragementverbencourage ≠ discourageadverbencouragingly ≠ discouragingly
giving you hope and confidence SYN reassuring OPP discouraging: The encouraging news is that typhoid is on the decrease. The signs are encouraging — but there’s a long way to go.—encouragingly adverb