adj
Common
driven
DRIHVN
Driven (adj) means Strongly motivated and determined to succeed. Example: “She's one of the most driven people I know.”
adj
1
Strongly motivated and determined to succeed.
"She's one of the most driven people I know."
"He is a driven student who studies long after his friends have gone home."
"They hired a driven young manager who wanted to improve every part of the shop."
2
Shaped into large mounds by wind, used especially of snow.
"The road was blocked by driven snow."
"We walked carefully across the field of driven snow beside the wall."
"Driven snow had piled up against the barn door overnight."
How to use driven
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHighly motivated and focused on achieving a goal; also, snow that has been piled up by the wind.
Common pairings
driven snow
a driven person
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more driven
- Superlative
- most driven
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She's one of the most _____ people I know.
Synonyms
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motivated
determined
ambitious
dedicated
focused
hard-working
committed
goal-oriented
compulsive
goaded
impelled
Antonyms
non-driven
nondriven
Related words
Rhymes for driven
See all rhymes for driven →Frequently asked questions
What does “driven” mean?
The word “driven” means strongly motivated and determined to succeed. In plain terms, highly motivated and focused on achieving a goal; also, snow that has been piled up by the wind.
How do you pronounce “driven”?
“Driven” is pronounced DRIHVN (/ˈdɹɪvn̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “driven” in a sentence?
Here is “driven” used in a sentence: “She's one of the most driven people I know.”
What is the opposite of “driven”?
The opposite of “driven” — its antonyms — are non-driven and nondriven.
What part of speech is “driven”?
“Driven” is an adjective.
Is “driven” a common word?
“Driven” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “driven” have?
“Driven” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: strongly motivated and determined to succeed.
What is the difference between driven and ambitious?
They are close, but 'ambitious' describes what you want — big goals and a desire to rise. 'Driven' describes how hard you push toward those goals, the relentless inner energy behind the effort. An ambitious person aims high; a driven person works tirelessly to get there. Many successful people are strongly both at once.
Is being driven a good thing?
Usually yes. In work and study, 'driven' is a compliment, suggesting focus, determination, and a strong work ethic that employers value highly. Taken to an extreme, though, being driven can shade into being unable to rest, overly single-minded, or prone to burnout. Kept in balance, it is a genuine and admired strength.
Can a person become more driven?
To some degree, yes. While temperament plays a part, motivation can be strengthened by setting clear and meaningful goals, tracking progress, building good habits, and linking daily tasks to a larger purpose. People often become more driven when they find work they genuinely care about, rather than forcing determination through willpower alone.
What is the difference between driven and motivated?
'Motivated' means having a reason to act and the willingness to do so, which can rise and fall. 'Driven' is stronger and more constant — a deep, almost restless need to achieve that keeps pushing a person forward. Motivation sparks action, while being driven is what sustains that effort over the long term.
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