motivate

CEFRB2

/ˈməʊ.tɪ.veɪt/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To make someone want to do something.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To animate; to propel; to cause to take action.

Examples

  • The teachers are trying to motivate their students.

  • Try to motivate kids with verbal praise.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
3
Parts of speech
1
Citations
1
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • [ˈmoʊ.ɾɪ.veɪt]
  • /ˈmoʊ.tɪ.veɪt/

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meaning

  1. To provide someone with an incentive to do something; to encourage; to actuate.

More examples

In context

  • The weekly staff meeting was meant to motivate employees.

  • He was motivated purely by self-interest.

  • Steam-motivated pumps are used in manufacturing.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The coach's encouraging speech will blank the team to practice harder for the championship game.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

From motive + -ate (verb-forming suffix). Compare French motiver.