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Hearten: meaning, definitions and examples

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hearten

 

[ˈhɑːrtən ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

emotional support

To hearten someone means to encourage or uplift them, providing a sense of hope or strength in challenging situations. It is often used in the context of giving someone reassurance or motivation.

Synonyms

cheer, encourage, inspire, uplift.

Examples of usage

  • Her words really heartened me during tough times.
  • The coach's speech was meant to hearten the team before the big game.
  • The community came together to hearten those affected by the disaster.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word combines 'heart' with the suffix '-en,' meaning to make or become.
  • It originated in the late 14th century as 'heartenen,' reflecting its emotional root of strengthening warmth.

Psychology

  • Positive reinforcement, a psychological concept, is similar to heartening someone by encouraging good behavior.
  • Feeling uplifted can positively impact mental health, promoting resilience during tough times.

Literature

  • Many famous authors have used 'hearten' in their works to convey themes of hope and encouragement.
  • In poetry, heartening language often evokes imagery of light breaking through darkness, symbolizing hope.

Pop Culture

  • Songs often hearten listeners by delivering messages of love and perseverance, like 'Don't Stop Believin'' by Journey.
  • Movies that show characters overcoming obstacles often leave audiences feeling heartened and inspired.

History

  • Historical speeches, like Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream,' have heartened movements for civil rights.
  • During wars, leaders often hearten troops with morale-boosting speeches to inspire courage and unity.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,425, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.