# motivation

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈməʊ.tɪ.veɪ.ʃən/ · frequency rank #4,965

## Definitions
1. Willingness of action especially in behavior.
2. The action of motivating.
3. Something which motivates.
4. An incentive or reason for doing something.
5. A research rating that measures how the rational and emotional elements of a commercial affect consumer intention to consider, visit, or buy something.

## Etymology
From French motivation. Morphologically motivate + -ion.

## Easily confused with
- **motivator** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/motivation-vs-motivator)
- **mutilation** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/motivation-vs-mutilation)
- **motivational** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/motivation-vs-motivational)
- **mitigation** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mitigation-vs-motivation)

## Common misspellings (15)
`mmotivation`, `moitvation`, `motiavtion`, `motivaiton`, `motivasion`, `motivatino`, `motivationn`, `motivatoin`, `motivattion`, `motivtaion`, `motivvation`, `mottivation`, `motviation`, `mtoivation`, `omtivation`

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