# motivate

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈməʊ.tɪ.veɪt/ · frequency rank #13,020

## Definitions
1. To provide someone with an incentive to do something; to encourage; to actuate.
2. To animate; to propel; to cause to take action.

## Etymology
From motive + -ate (verb-forming suffix). Compare French motiver.

## Easily confused with
- **motive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/motivate-vs-motive)
- **motivated** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/motivate-vs-motivated)
- **motivator** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/motivate-vs-motivator)
- **mitigate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mitigate-vs-motivate)

## Common misspellings (11)
`mmotivate`, `moitvate`, `motiavte`, `motivaet`, `motivatte`, `motivtae`, `motivvate`, `mottivate`, `motviate`, `mtoivate`, `omtivate`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/motivate