discouraged

Everyday

1. Feeling discouraged means losing hope or confidence, so you do not want to keep trying. tree →
2. Discouraged is the past of discourage: tried to stop someone from doing something. tree →
3. (formal) Not approved of: «Phones are discouraged in class». tree →

In the lessons

Used about feelings in stories and school («Don't get discouraged!») and about rules (something is «discouraged» rather than banned). Phrases: «feel discouraged», «get discouraged», «discouraged from doing».

Examples

• Tom felt discouraged after failing the spelling test. tree →
• Don't get discouraged — practice makes progress. tree →
• Her mum discouraged her from climbing the tall tree. tree →
• Running in the corridor is strongly discouraged. tree →
• The rain discouraged people from coming to the fair. tree →
• He was discouraged but tried again the next day. tree →
• But the prince was not discouraged. tree →

Note

Opposite: encouraged. «Discouraged from + -ing». Noun: discouragement. «Discouraged» (a rule) is softer than «forbidden» or «not allowed».