Skip to the word

Added 9 October 2026

motivate

/ˈməʊ.tɪ.veɪt/ verb

In Latin: corrōborō Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about motivate at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To provide someone with an incentive to do something; to encourage; to actuate.
The weekly staff meeting was meant to motivate employees.
To animate; to propel; to cause to take action.
He was motivated purely by self-interest.

Origin

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

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word