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supportive
/səˈpɔːrtɪv/
providing encouragement or help
Her supportive friends helped her through the difficult time.
Her friends provided emotional and practical help during a tough period.
general
Providing encouragement, help, or approval to someone or something
The teacher was very supportive of her students' creative ideas.
The teacher encouraged and approved of her students' creative ideas.
A supportive family environment helps children develop confidence.
A family that provides encouragement and help fosters children's confidence.
Often used to describe people, environments, or systems that provide assistance or encouragement.
Collocations
supportive environmenta setting that encourages and helps peoplesupportive frienda friend who provides encouragement and helpsupportive communitya group that offers mutual assistance and encouragement
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
Use 'supportive' to describe people or environments that provide help or encouragement, not just physical support.
Gold Rule
Avoid Overuse
'Supportive' is often overused in formal contexts. Use synonyms like 'encouraging' or 'helpful' for variety.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'supportif', from Old French 'supporter' (to support), from Latin 'supportare' (to bear up).
Usage Notes
Can describe people, environments, or systems that provide assistance or encouragement. Often used in contexts like education, healthcare, or personal relationships.
Word Breakdown
support
to hold up or assist
root-ive
having the quality of
suffixEnglish Dictionary