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

be supportive ofphrase
to approve of or encourage something
supportive carephrase
medical or emotional care that helps patients cope

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
suffix
English Dictionary