verb (used with object), mo·ti·vat·ed, mo·ti·vat·ing.
- to provide with a motive, or a cause or reason to act; incite; impel.
verb
- (tr) to give incentive to
adj.“lacking in motivation,” by 1920, from un- (1) “not” + past participle of motivate. Meaning “lacking in motive” is attested from 1872. v.1863, “to stimulate toward action,” from motive + -ate (2); perhaps modeled on French motiver or German motivieren. Related: Motivated; motivating.