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Definition of motivate

motivate

/ˈmoʊtəˌveɪt/
mo · ti · vate
Adverb:motivationally
•
Adjective:motivational
•
Past Simple:motivated
•
Past Participle:motivated
•
Present Participle:motivating
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motivate Lexical Profile

motivate Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To stimulate someone's interest in or enthusiasm for doing something; to inspire or encourage to take action.

Example

"A skilled teacher knows how to motivate students to explore difficult subjects on their own."

2

To provide a someone with a reason, cause, or underlying motive for doing something.

Example

"Financial necessity and a desire for independence motivated her decision to start a small business."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for motivate
Antonyms
View all antonyms for motivate

• Rhymes for motivate

• Nearby Words

motionless
motionlessly
motionlessness
motivate
motivated
motivation
motivational

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-19th century from the noun motive plus the verbal suffix -ate, ultimately tracing back through Old French and Medieval Latin motivus ('moving, impelling') to the Latin verb movere ('to move').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Motivate. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/motivate
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