enhearten: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/LiteraryFormal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “enhearten” mean?
To give courage, confidence, or hope to someone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To give courage, confidence, or hope to someone.
To inspire someone with renewed spirit, vigor, or motivation; to hearten.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or use. The word is equally rare and literary in both varieties.
Connotations
Archaic, poetic, formal. Used to evoke a historical or elevated tone.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary spoken or written English in both regions. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical literature.
Grammar
How to Use “enhearten” in a Sentence
[Subject] enheartens [Direct Object][Subject] is enheartened by [Prepositional Object]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “enhearten” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The king's rousing speech served to enhearten his weary troops.
- Her unwavering belief in the project enheartened the entire team.
American English
- The coach's halftime talk was meant to enhearten the players.
- Good news from the lab enheartened the researchers.
adverb
British English
- He smiled enhearteningly at his nervous colleague.
American English
- She nodded enhearteningly, signaling her approval of the plan.
adjective
British English
- An enheartening sight greeted the explorers at the valley's end.
- They found the progress report to be most enheartening.
American English
- The crowd gave the performer an enheartening round of applause.
- It was an enheartening sign that public opinion was shifting.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. 'Motivate' or 'encourage' are standard.
Academic
Rare. Might be used in literary analysis or historical studies.
Everyday
Not used. Considered an unusual or 'fancy' word.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “enhearten”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “enhearten”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “enhearten”
- Using it as a synonym for 'excite' or 'amuse'. Confusing spelling: 'inhearten' or 'enheart'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very rare and literary. 'Encourage' or 'hearten' are much more common.
They are synonyms, but 'enhearten' is archaic and formal, focusing on giving inner courage or spirit. 'Encourage' is the standard, neutral term.
It would sound very unusual and pretentious. Avoid it; use 'motivate', 'encourage', or 'boost morale' instead.
There is no standard, commonly used noun. The concept would be expressed as 'encouragement', 'heartening', or 'morale boost'.
To give courage, confidence, or hope to someone.
Enhearten is usually formal/literary in register.
Enhearten: in British English it is pronounced /ɪnˈhɑːt(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɪnˈhɑːrt(ə)n/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To take heart (closely related concept).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ENHEARTEN = to put HEART IN someone.
Conceptual Metaphor
COURAGE IS STRENGTH IN THE HEART; to GIVE someone that strength.
Practice
Quiz
What is the closest contemporary synonym for 'enhearten'?