Skip to main content

motivateto provide with a reason or incentive for doing something; to encourage or stimulate interest or enthusiasm

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to provide with a reason or incentive for doing something; to encourage or stimulate interest or enthusiasm

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈmoʊtɪveɪt/

Example Sentences

  • My mom motivates me to study by hiding the WiFi password until I finish my homework.
  • The coach tried to motivate the team with an inspiring speech before the big game.
  • Nothing motivates me to clean my room faster than hearing my friends are coming over.

motivate

VERB

[/ˈmoʊtɪveɪt/]

to provide with a reason or incentive for doing something; to encourage or stimulate interest or enthusiasm

The coach motivated the team to keep practicing after a difficult loss.
💡 Concept

The coach motivated the team to keep practicing after a difficult loss.

The coach motivated the runner like turning on a motor and making him move again. (MOTOR + MOVE → motivation turns your motor on and gets you moving)
🧠 Mnemonic

The coach motivated the runner like turning on a motor and making him move again. (MOTOR + MOVE → motivation turns your motor on and gets you moving)

The teacher motivated the students, activated their curiosity, and celebrated their success.
🎵 Rhyme

The teacher motivated the students, activated their curiosity, and celebrated their success.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈmoʊtɪveɪt/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈməʊtɪveɪt/

🌳Etymology

Rootmotiv
Suffix--ate

Origin

From Latin 'motivus' meaning 'moving' or 'causing motion,' derived from 'movere' meaning 'to move.' The word entered English in the late 16th century through French.

Breakdown

mot- (from Latin movere, to move) + -ive (adjective suffix, causing or producing) + -ate (verb suffix, to cause or make) = motivate (to cause movement or action toward a goal)

🎵Rhyme

createulateactivatecelebrate
create
ulate
activate
celebrate

🔗Collocations

motivate students
motivate employees
highly motivated
motivate someone to do
fail to motivate
motivate through rewards

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My mom motivates me to study by hiding the WiFi password until I finish my homework.

The coach tried to motivate the team with an inspiring speech before the big game.

😄 Fun example

Nothing motivates me to clean my room faster than hearing my friends are coming over.

The bonus system was designed to motivate workers to increase productivity.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

encourageinspirestimulatedrivespur

Antonyms

discouragedemotivatedishearten

Related

motivationmotiveincentiveenthusiasmdrive

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.