motivational

American  

[moh-tuh-vey-shuh-nl] / ˌmoʊ təˈveɪ ʃə 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.

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Other Word Forms

• antimotivational adjective
• nonmotivational adjective

Etymology

Origin of motivational

motivation ( def. ) + -al ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Through Stacy’s fetching sadness, we come to know that maybe a certain motivational speaker was right.

From Salon

Farage's profile on the site says customers could pay the Clacton MP to provide messages "for a variety of occasions, from birthdays and retirements to roasts and motivational pep talks".

From BBC

Meanwhile, Emery said he used the struggles of their Premier League rivals in the Champions League as a motivational tool before kick-off.

From BBC

I look around the room desperately, as if whatever person came up with the quotes on those motivational posters might show up and tell me what to do.

From Literature

Before a mass deployment, the shop tends to see an uptick in military motivational, or “moto,” tattoos, which often feature unit numbers or slogans.

From Los Angeles Times