Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act or process of motivating; providing incentive: The action of giving someone a reason or encouragement to do something.
   • The condition of being motivated: The state of having enthusiasm, interest, or a willingness to act.
   • The psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action: The internal or external factors that stimulate desire and energy in people to be continually interested in and committed to a job, role, or subject, and to exert persistent effort in attaining a goal.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The manager's speech provided the motivation the team needed to finish the project.
  • After the holiday, her motivation to return to work was very low.
  • Understanding the criminal's motivation was key to solving the case.
  • Financial reward is a common motivation for working overtime.

Advanced Usage

• "Intrinsic motivation": Motivation that comes from within a person because the task itself is rewarding or enjoyable.

  • Her love for learning is driven by intrinsic motivation; she studies because she finds it fascinating.

• "Extrinsic motivation": Motivation that comes from external factors, such as rewards, praise, or avoiding punishment.

  • The bonus scheme is an example of extrinsic motivation for the sales staff.

Variants and Related Words

• Motivate (verb): To provide someone with a motive or incentive; to make someone want to do something.

  • A good teacher knows how to motivate students.

• Motivational (adjective): Relating to or designed to provide motivation.

  • He gave a motivational talk to the athletes before the race.

• Motivator (noun): A person or thing that motivates.

  • For many people, career advancement is a key motivator.

Synonyms

• Incentive: A thing that motivates or encourages one to do something.
• Drive: A strong motivating force or instinct.
• Impetus: The force or energy with which a body moves or an incentive to do something.
• Motive: A reason for doing something.

Related Phrases

• "Lack of motivation": The absence of desire or willingness to act.

  • He was struggling with a lack of motivation during his recovery.

• "Source of motivation": The origin or cause of one's drive.

  • Her family was her main source of motivation to succeed.

Idioms

• "Get the motivation": To find or receive the drive needed to start or continue something.

  • I finally got the motivation to clean the garage this weekend.

• "Motivation runs high/low": Indicates that the level of enthusiasm or drive is strong or weak.

  • Motivation runs high when the team is winning.

Noun

1. the act of motivating; providing incentive
2. the condition of being motivated
   • his motivation was at a high level
3. the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
   • we did not understand his motivation
   • he acted with the best of motives