English Explanatory Dictionary

motivate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To provide someone with an incentive to do something; to encourage; to actuate.
  2. To animate; to propel; to cause to take action.

Pronunciation

/ˈməʊ.tɪ.veɪt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-motivate.wav /ˈmoʊ.tɪ.veɪt/ [ˈmoʊ.ɾɪ.veɪt] /ˈmoʊ.təˌveɪt/ [ˈmoʊ.ɾəˌveɪt]

Word forms

motivate motivates motivating motivated

Etymology

Etymology tree Anglo-Norman motifder. Middle French motifder. Proto-Indo-European *m(y)ewh₁-der. Proto-Italic *moweō Late Latin moveō Late Latin mōtus Proto-Indo-European *-wós Proto-Indo-European *-iHwósder. Late Latin -īvus Late Latin mōtīvumder. Middle English motif English motive Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂tos Proto-Italic *-ātos Latin -ātuslbor. English -ate English motivate From motive + -ate (verb-forming suffix). Compare French motiver.

Synonyms

drive spur abet actuate goose light a fire under send sting bring about cheer draw encourage egg on engender evoke excite foment goad grill ignite impel incite induce inflame instigate invoke lash motive motivate move obligate oblige push promote prompt provoke rouse set off spark off spur on stimulate stir stir up stoke tempt urge whet whip up

Antonyms

demotivate discourage dissuade halt stop

Related words

motivation motive

Derived words

mismotivate motivatable motivated motivative motivator remotivate unmotivate
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