any other word for "encourager"?

[Mehrgan]

Hi,

Are there any words referring to people who support and encourage you to start or pursue Sth? Any informal term? Thanks in advance...

[tranglich]

A supporter?

Besides of this, I don't have any other ideas...

[bhaisahab]

Hi,

Are there any words referring to people who support and encourage you to start or pursue Sth? Any informal term? Thanks in advance...

"A backer" perhaps.

[BobK]

'Backer' and 'supporter' are fine; 'champion, or even 'proponent' might work in a more formal context. But I suspect the question 'is there a verb for X?' may imply the underlying assumption 'there should be, because that's the way we do it in my language'...

In many cases I'd tend to say something like 'I'm on his side' rather than 'I'm his backer'.

b

PS You might be able to do something with the phrasal verb 'to egg on', but I've never heard of an 'egger on' (except maybe jokingly). When there are an organized and vocal group of supporters, we've borrowed the French claque, and a group of paid supporters who know nothing about what they're 'supporting' is routinely (especially in press reports) referred to as a 'Rentamob'. (This one is quite colloquial.)

[Mehrgan]

Thanks a lot...The term might be used while asking a successful person (say, a sportsman, an artist,...etc.) who their (.......) were, or who was the person who encouraged them to take up that field and pursue it. Ta!

[BobK]

'Supporters' or 'support'. 'Supporters' for sportsmen, 'support' for a politician. A 'backer' puts money into a venture. There are probably others ... wait and see.

b

[Mehrgan]

'Supporters' or 'support'. 'Supporters' for sportsmen, 'support' for a politician. A 'backer' puts money into a venture. There are probably others ... wait and see.

b

Many thanks dear Bobk!...Cheers!

[Mehrgan]

...and, how about "well-wisher"? Rings a bell?

[Raymott]

Thanks a lot...The term might be used while asking a successful person (say, a sportsman, an artist,...etc.) who their (.......) were, or who was the person who encouraged them to take up that field and pursue it. Ta!

Who was their patron/sponsor/mentor/hero?
Who inspired them?
(They all mean a slightly different thing. You can look them up).

[tedtmc]

Who was their patron/sponsor/mentor/hero?
Who inspired them?
(They all mean a slightly different thing. You can look them up).

'Patron' would be appropriate when we talk about sports or charity. A patron provides all forms of support and encouragement.
A sponsor provides more of financial support.
A mentor is more of an adviser/counselor.
A hero is a model for one to look up to.

not a teacher