verb

motivate

MOH-tih-vayt

verb

To give someone a reason or incentive to act; to inspire them into action.

"A good bonus scheme can motivate a whole sales team."

"Her coach knew exactly how to motivate her before a big race."

How to Use Motivate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo give someone a reason or push to do something.

Common pairings

motivate employees motivate a team hard to motivate

motivated past tense, motivates singular

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A good bonus scheme can _____ a whole sales team.

From motive + the verb-forming suffix -ate, ultimately from Latin movēre ("to move").

ate date rate mate fate gate hate pate late Nate Kate cate