/ Dictionary / Index D discourage: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: dis•cour•age Pronunciation: (di-skûr'ij, -skur'-), [key] — v., -aged, -ag•ing. —v.t. to deprive of courage, hope, or confidence; dishearten; dispirit. to dissuade (usually fol. by from). to obstruct by opposition or difficulty; hinder: Low prices discourage industry. to express or make clear disapproval of; frown upon: to discourage the expression of enthusiasm. —v.i. to become discouraged: a person who discourages easily. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. See also: discourage (Thesaurus) discount rate discouragement Related Content Daily Word Quiz: reclusive Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language