motivate
verb OPAL W
/ˈməʊtɪveɪt/
/ˈməʊtɪveɪt/
Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they motivate | /ˈməʊtɪveɪt/ /ˈməʊtɪveɪt/ |
| he / she / it motivates | /ˈməʊtɪveɪts/ /ˈməʊtɪveɪts/ |
| past simple motivated | /ˈməʊtɪveɪtɪd/ /ˈməʊtɪveɪtɪd/ |
| past participle motivated | /ˈməʊtɪveɪtɪd/ /ˈməʊtɪveɪtɪd/ |
| -ing form motivating | /ˈməʊtɪveɪtɪŋ/ /ˈməʊtɪveɪtɪŋ/ |
- [often passive] to be the reason why somebody does something or behaves in a particular way
- motivate somebody (to do something) What motivates people to carry out such attacks?
- be motivated by something He is motivated entirely by self-interest.
Extra Examples- He was motivated to join the union because he objected to the new contract.
- We created the conditions whereby the child is motivated to speak.
- to make somebody want to do something, especially something that involves hard work and effort
- motivate somebody She's very good at motivating her students.
- His greatest quality is the way he motivates his team.
- motivate somebody to do something The plan is designed to motivate employees to work more efficiently.
- motivate something (South African English, formal) to give reasons for something that you have stated
- Please motivate your answer to question 5.