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. )

Explanation

Anything motivational makes you want to do something — or at least be willing to do it. When you're training your dog, the treats in your pocket can be used as motivational tools. If someone gives a motivational speech, their purpose is to try to get people excited about doing or trying something. A football coach's motivational talk to his team, for example, is intended to inspire the players to win the game. In other words, what the coach says motivates the team to play well. Both motivate and motivational come from the Old French motif, "drive or motivation," from motivus, "moving" in Medieval Latin.

Example Sentences

Captain Matt Grimes has also delivered motivational messages to the squad - including inspirational talks about other title-winning sides - which have proved crucial, especially when the side had a wobble in January.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

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

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2026

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 • Mar. 9, 2026

As January drew to a close, I weaned myself off the motivational videos.

From Slate • Feb. 15, 2026

And so we scramble to do what he says, because red-handed is red-handed, and this is martial law, and Jacqui’s motivational poster is truer than anything right now.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman