Supporting
/səˈpɔːrtɪŋ/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo help someone or something by providing assistance or encouragement.
/səˈpɔːrtɪŋ/
To give assistance to; enable to function or act.
The charity is supporting the education of underprivileged children.
💡 Simply: Supporting is like being a helpful friend! If your friend wants to be an artist, and you bring them art supplies, you're supporting them! Basically, it means to help somebody out.
👶 For kids: Helping someone or something to do something.
More Examples
The new evidence supports the scientist's theory.
She supported her friend through a difficult time.
How It's Used
"The company is supporting a new initiative to improve employee morale."
"Citizens were supporting the new environmental regulations."
To bear the weight of something, or to maintain something.
/səˈpɔːrtɪŋ/
To uphold or maintain; provide the foundation for.
The bridge is supported by strong cables.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're holding up a heavy box. You're SUPPORTING its weight! It also means if a platform or system can work with something, that it can SUPPORT it.
👶 For kids: Holding something up or making sure something can keep working.
More Examples
The software supports a wide range of operating systems.
The foundation supports the entire structure of the building.
How It's Used
"The pillars are supporting the weight of the building."
"The platform supports various file formats."
Providing help, encouragement, or assistance.
/səˈpɔːrtɪŋ/
Giving assistance or encouragement.
Her parents were very supporting of her decision to become an artist.
💡 Simply: Think about your friends and family when you are down. When people are nice and helpful and give encouragement, they are being 'supporting'.
👶 For kids: Being nice and helpful to someone.
More Examples
The company offers a supporting environment for its employees.
The supporting role in the play was crucial to the plot.
How It's Used
"She has a very supporting family."
"He attended a supporting group to work through his issues."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
a supporting role
A secondary role that helps make a main actor look good or contributes to the plot of a story.
"The actor was excellent in a supporting role in the play."
From Middle English 'supporten', from Old French 'supporter' meaning 'to bear, endure, help'. Ultimately from Latin 'supportare' meaning 'to carry, sustain'.
The word 'supporting' and its root have appeared in texts dating back to the 13th century, initially referring to providing physical support.
Memory tip
Think of a parent SUPPorting a child's SUPPorting a child's dreams.
Word Origin
"to carry, bear"