motivational

[ moh-tuh-vey-shuh-nl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to motivation, a person's reason for acting in a certain way:

   The research investigated the motivational factors influencing people’s decision to volunteer with community organizations.

2. inspiring or seeking to inspire people to act in a certain way, especially so as to overcome obstacles and achieve success, happiness, etc.:

   He mentors inner city youth, telling his motivational story at local schools.

   Since her diagnosis, she has become an HIV/AIDS educator, motivational speaker, and activist.

Other Words From

• an·ti·mo·ti·va·tion·al adjective
• non·mo·ti·va·tion·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of motivational¹

motivation ( def ) + -al ¹( def )

Example Sentences

Dobrev and White first met during a brief encounter at the 2012 Teen Choice Awards but were formally acquainted several years later at a Florida workshop organized by motivational speaker Tony Robbins.

From Los Angeles Times

Hudson dos Santos Figueira picks her favourite motivational quotes from a jar.

From BBC

According to Mr Abraham’s obituary, the victim was a “licensed professional counsellor, motivational speaker, recording artist, author and teacher”.

From BBC

Extreme hatred also creates motivational bias, which means adherents can only see evidence that supports their beliefs.

From Salon

They reached a wider audience earlier this summer when NBC cameras captured Hunter offering effusive motivational phrases and cheers for his wife, Tara Davis-Woodhall, who won a gold medal in the long jump.

From Los Angeles Times