Motivation Noun - Definition, Pictures, Pronunciation And Usage Notes

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Definition of motivation noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

motivation noun OPAL WOPAL S  /ˌməʊtɪˈveɪʃn/  /ˌməʊtɪˈveɪʃn/ jump to other results

1.  [countable, uncountable] the reason why somebody does something or behaves in a particular way
   • motivation (behind something) What is the motivation behind this sudden change?
   • motivation for (doing) something Most people said that pay was their main motivation for working.

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2.  [uncountable] the feeling of wanting to do something, especially something that involves hard work and effort
   • He's intelligent enough but he lacks motivation.
3. [countable] (South African English) a statement or piece of writing in which you give reasons for something
   • All research proposals must be accompanied by a full motivation.
Word OriginLate 19th century: from motive, reinforced by motivate.

See motivation in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic EnglishCheck pronunciation: motivation

Other results

All matches

• self-motivation noun

Nearby words

• motivate verb
• motivated adjective
• motivation noun
• motivational adjective
• motivator noun

bungle verb From the Topic Difficulty and failure C2 Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day