Reading Theme:
Motivate: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：provide motivation to (motivate)
motivate
/ˈmoʊtɪveɪt/
v.
To give someone a good reason or strong feeling to do something.
provide motivation to
➕
/prəˈvaɪd ˌmoʊtəˈveɪʃən tuː/
v.
To stimulate or encourage someone by giving reasons or creating a desire to act.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'motivus' (moving), from 'movere' (to move).
💡 Mnemonic
Think 'motion' to 'motivate' – moving someone to act.
📖 Example
Our science teacher always motivates us by showing fascinating experiments before we start a new chapter.
Our science teacher always motivates us by showing fascinating experiments before we start a new chapter.
🔗 Collocations
motivate someone to do something – to encourage a person to take a specific action
highly motivated – having a strong drive or enthusiasm
motivate the team – to inspire and encourage a group to perform well
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
discourage (v.) – to cause someone to lose confidence or enthusiasm
demotivate (v.) – to reduce or remove motivation
🌱 Derivatives
motivation (n.) – the reason or reasons for acting in a particular way
motivated (adj.) – having a strong reason to act or accomplish something
motivator (n.) – something that provides motivation
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'motivus', meaning 'causing motion'. In modern psychology and management, it describes internal or external drivers of behavior.
Meaning 2：have inner drive (motivate)
motivate
/ˈmoʊtɪveɪt/
v.
To have a strong desire from within yourself to achieve a goal.
have inner drive
➕
/hæv ˈɪnər draɪv/
v.
To possess a strong internal desire or willpower to achieve a goal.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Her dream of becoming a doctor motivated her to study late into the night, even when she felt tired.
Her dream of becoming a doctor motivated her to study late into the night, even when she felt tired.
🔗 Collocations
self-motivated – driven by one's own desires and goals
intrinsically motivated – motivated by internal factors rather than external rewards
motivate oneself – to generate one's own drive to act
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
languish (v.) – to lose or lack vitality; grow weak
procrastinate (v.) – to delay or postpone action
🌱 Derivatives
motivation (n.) – the reason or reasons for acting in a particular way
motivated (adj.) – having a strong reason to act or accomplish something
motivator (n.) – something that provides motivation
Wordbook
Your data is saved in this browser