Reading Theme:
Motivation Definition: Inner Drive and Reasons for Action (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：inner drive (motivation)
motivation
/ˌmoʊ.tɪˈveɪ.ʃən/
n.
The feeling that makes you really want to start and keep doing something.
inner drive
➕
/ˈɪn.ər draɪv/
n.
The psychological or emotional force that prompts a person to act or persist in an activity.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'motivus' (moving) + '-ation', forming nouns of action or process.
💡 Mnemonic
MOTI-VATION: 'MOTI' sounds like 'MOTOR' – the engine that VATION (action) needs.
📖 Example
Her main motivation for getting up at 5 a.m. was her passion for learning the piano before school.
Her main reason for waking up at 5 a.m. was her strong desire to practice the piano before class.
🔗 Collocations
high motivation – strong internal drive
lack of motivation – absence of desire to act
intrinsic motivation – drive coming from personal satisfaction
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
apathy (n.) – lack of interest or motivation
discouragement (n.) – loss of confidence or drive
indifference (n.) – absence of feeling or motivation
🌱 Derivatives
motivate (v.) – to provide with a reason to act
motivated (adj.) – having strong motivation
motivational (adj.) – related to providing motivation
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'motivus' (causing movement), via French. Gained popularity in 20th-century psychology to describe internal drive. Frequently used in business and self-help contexts.
Meaning 2：reason for action (motivation)
motivation
/ˌmoʊ.tɪˈveɪ.ʃən/
n.
The reason why you decide to do something.
reason for action
➕
/ˈriː.zən fɔːr ˈæk.ʃən/
n.
The specific reason or goal that leads someone to take a particular action.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The company's motivation for creating the new app was to help people connect with their distant families more easily.
The company's reason for creating the new app was to help people connect with their distant families more easily.
🔗 Collocations
primary motivation – main reason for doing something
underlying motivation – hidden reason behind an action
profit motivation – reason based on financial gain
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
deterrent (n.) – something that discourages action
disincentive (n.) – something that reduces motivation
hindrance (n.) – obstacle that prevents action
🌱 Derivatives
motivate (v.) – to provide with a reason to act
motivated (adj.) – having strong motivation
motivational (adj.) – related to providing motivation
Wordbook
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