What does embolden mean?
Word: Embolden
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Embolden means to make someone feel brave or confident enough to do something.
Synonyms: encourage, hearten, inspire, strengthen
Antonyms: dishearten, daunt
How do you spell embolden?
Syllables: em - bold - en
Tricky part: The prefix is em, not en, and the ending is en, not an or on.
Watch out for: emboldan, emboldon, enbolden
Memory tip: To embolden someone is to strengthen them, and the two verbs end the same way, in en.
Embolden in a sentence
Example 1: The crowd's cheering emboldened the shy singer to try the high note.
Example 2: A kind word from the coach emboldened Arjun to bowl again.
Example 3: Emboldened by her friend's smile, Lena raised her hand to answer.
Fun Fact
Printers and computer users also use embolden for making text bold, as when you press the B button in a word processor.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word:
embolden
a) discourage
b) comfort
c) praise
d) support
Show answer
a) discourage. Discourage takes courage away, while embolden gives it.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
dobemnel
a) embodied
b) embolden
c) ennobled
d) beholden
Show answer
b) embolden. An m is in the jumble, so ennobled is out; embodied wants an i and beholden an h.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
emboldden
a) o
b) l
c) d
d) e
Show answer
c) d. The d of bold is not doubled when em and en are added.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) soften
b) embolden
c) glisen
d) sharpen
Show answer
c) glisen. Glisten has a silent t, just as soften does.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which situation would embolden a nervous speaker?
a) people walking out
b) forgetting the first line
c) the microphone failing
d) the audience smiling and nodding
Show answer
d) the audience smiling and nodding
2. Emboldened by their first win, the team ____.
a) asked to cancel the match
b) refused to leave the bus
c) gave up before half-time
d) attacked with fresh confidence
Show answer
d) attacked with fresh confidence
