motivate
//ˈməʊ.tɪ.veɪt//
Forms
- present (v1)
- motivate
- past (v2)
- motivated
- past participle (v3)
- motivated
- present participle
- motivating
- 3rd person singular
- motivates
Definitions
1.To provide someone with an incentive to do something; to encourage; to actuate.
- The weekly staff meeting was meant to motivate employees.
2.To animate; to propel; to cause to take action.
- He was motivated purely by self-interest.
- Steam-motivated pumps are used in manufacturing.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #3605
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Synonyms
Etymology
Etymology tree
Anglo-Norman motifder.
Middle French motifder.
Proto-Indo-European *m(y)ewh₁-
Proto-Indo-European *-yeti
Proto-Indo-European *-éyeti
Proto-Indo-European *m(y)owh₁éyetider.
Proto-Italic *moweō
Latin moveō
Latin mōtus
Proto-Indo-European *-wós
Proto-Indo-European *-iHwósder.