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Eager to work or act due to a driving force or purpose.
The employees were motivated by the promise of bonuses.
The employees worked hard because they were promised rewards.
He wasn't motivated to finish the project on time.
He lacked the drive to complete the project by the deadline.
Often used to describe someone's internal drive or external incentives.
Avoid using 'motivated' to describe objects or abstract concepts (e.g., 'The plan was motivated' is incorrect). Reserve it for people or their actions.
Use 'motivated' as an adjective to describe a person's state, not as a verb. Correct: 'She is motivated.' Incorrect: 'She motivated.'
From Latin *motivus* (moving), derived from *movere* (to move). First used in English in the 15th century with the sense 'causing motion.' The psychological sense of 'providing incentive' emerged in the late 19th century.
Commonly used in educational, workplace, and personal development contexts. Often paired with prepositions like 'by' (motivated by success) or 'to' (motivated to achieve).