How to Pronounce Motivate

To pronounce "motivate", say MOT-iv-at-e — 4 syllables, IPA /ˈməʊtɪveɪt/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

motivate

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Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

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4

Syllables

8

Letters

/ˈməʊtɪveɪt/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “motivate”

"motivate" has 4 syllables: mot-iv-at-e. It rhymes with elucidate and articulate, if that helps it stick.

What does motivate mean?

verb

  1. To provide someone with an incentive to do something; to encourage.

    “The weekly staff meeting was meant to motivate employees.”

  2. To animate; to propel; to cause to take action

    “He was motivated purely by self-interest.”

Antonyms

demotivate

Hear “motivate” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with motivate

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

elucidatearticulatedesolatefacilitateprofligateexplicatedeliberatedelineateruminateinnatecultivatestate

Related words

incitepropelpromptmoveencouragedriveengageincentivize

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "motivate"?▾

"Motivate" has 4 syllables: mot · iv · at · e.

What is the IPA transcription of "motivate"?▾

The IPA transcription of "motivate" is /ˈməʊtɪveɪt/.

What does "motivate" mean?▾

Motivate: To provide someone with an incentive to do something; to encourage.

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