- 1[often passive] motivate somebody to be the reason why someone does something or behaves in a particular way He is motivated entirely by self-interest.
- 2to make someone want to do something, especially something that involves hard work and effort motivate somebody She's very good at motivating her students. motivate somebody to do something The plan is designed to motivate employees to work more efficiently.
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NAmE//ˈmoʊt̮əˌveɪt//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they motivate he / she / it motivates
past simple motivated
-ing form motivating
adjective a racially motivated attack a highly motivated student (= one who is very interested and works hard) opposite unmotivated
NAmE//ˌmoʊt̮əˈveɪʃn//
noun [countable, uncountable] What is the motivation behind this sudden change? Most people said that pay was their main motivation for working. He's intelligent enough but he lacks motivation. NAmE//ˌmoʊt̮əˈveɪʃənl//
adjective (formal) an important motivational factor NAmE//ˈmoʊt̮əˌveɪt̮ər//
noun Desire for status can be a powerful motivator.See motivate in the Oxford Advanced Learner's DictionaryCheck pronunciation: motivate