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motivator

C2
noun

Pronunciation

UK

  • /mˈəʊtɪvˌeɪtə/

US

  • /ˈmoʊtəveɪtər/

Description

A motivator is not just someone who cheers you on. It is anything that gets you going. It can be a person, like a coach pushing a team to win, or a feeling inside you, like ambition pushing you to work harder. A clear goal can be a motivator for studying, and a reward can be a motivator for finishing a task. A good leader is often a strong motivator because they understand what drives their team. Sometimes even fear can be a motivator, pushing people to avoid bad results.

Examples

  1. 1

    Sports coaching

    My coach is a great motivator when the team starts to lose energy.

  2. 2

    Work incentives

    Money can be a strong motivator, but it is not the only reason people work hard.

  3. 3

    Education

    For many students, clear goals are a better motivator than fear.

  4. 4

    Job application

    The chance to travel was a big motivator for applying to the company.

  5. 5

    Personal decision

    The main motivator behind his decision was a desire to spend more time with his family.

    • Pattern

      motivator behind + decision/action

      the reason that led to it

  6. 6

    Personal incentives

    Different people respond to different motivators, such as praise, competition, or extra freedom.

See also

nouna person or thing that encourages action or effort

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Used with (collocations)

  • powerful motivator
  • key motivator
  • external motivator
  • intrinsic motivator

Word family

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Forms and spellings

2 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • motivatornoun

Forms

  • motivatorspluralnoun