Motivating
/ˈmoʊtɪveɪtɪŋ/
Definitions
Causing someone to be enthusiastic and determined to do something; encouraging.
/ˈmoʊtɪveɪtɪŋ/
Providing a reason for action or feeling.
The company offered motivating incentives to increase productivity.
💡 Simply: It's like something that makes you *really* want to do something. Like when a cool new game motivates you to clean your room so you can play it!
👶 For kids: Making you want to do something!
More Examples
His words were very motivating to the team.
The coach delivered a motivating speech before the championship game.
How It's Used
"A motivating speech can boost employee morale."
"The teacher used motivating techniques to encourage the students to study harder."
"The coach gave a motivating pep talk before the game."
From the verb 'motivate,' which derives from the Latin 'motivus,' meaning 'moving' or 'impelling.' Originally used in psychology to describe the forces that cause us to act. It entered common usage in the 20th century.
The term 'motivating' and 'motivation' emerged strongly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, influenced by psychological studies of behavior and the rise of industrial management.
Memory tip
Think of a 'motor' – something that drives and energizes.