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

If you've spent any time on social media you'll be used to seeing these motivational memes.

From BBC

Mia Lind was a 22-year-old communications major and sorority president at USC trying to combat the stress and anxiety in her life when her motivational post about “hot girl walks” went viral on TikTok in January 2021.

From Los Angeles Times

He starred in several national plays and off-Broadway shows and was asked to sing at the funeral of civil rights activist Rosa Parks in Montgomery, Ala. He also served as a motivational speaker, traveling the country to talk to the next generation of journalists.

From Los Angeles Times

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

LinkedIn: the social network for CVs, apparently motivational corporate messages and - as of late last night - transatlantic diplomatic spats.

From BBC