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 Word Forms

• antimotivational adjective
• nonmotivational adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of motivational¹

motivation ( def. ) + -al ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

But it's only in the last year that it has taken off online, whether it be a motivational video for gains in the gym or ironically in a meme about a lazy cat.

Read more on BBC

Serving others expands our capacity for gratitude more than any motivational quote on Instagram or self-help book ever could.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

There are bad days too, hours that he lies in bed, scrolling TikTok, where the app’s algorithm shows him videos about conspiracy theories, motivational speakers or existential questions about the universe.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He has amassed millions of fans around the world with his motivational videos sharing his passion for the noble art.

Read more on BBC

That is natural given his corporate background, including chairmanship of the Great Harvest Bread Company, board seats with La-Z-Boy and Truist, plus motivational speaking.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal