1 (usually passive 通常用于被动语态) to cause sb to act in a particular way 使某人以某方式行动;激起:
Her reaction was motivated by fear.她的反应出于恐惧。
2 to make sb want to do sth, especially sth that involves hard work and effort 激发做某事的兴趣,激励(尤指做费力的事情):
Our new teacher certainly knows how to motivate his classes.我们的新老师无疑知道怎样激发学生的学习兴趣。I just can't motivate myself to do anything this morning.今天早上我做什么都提不起精神。 ➔motivatedadjhighly motivated students 学习积极性很高的学生
➔motivation /ˌməʊtɪˈveɪʃn ||; ˌmotəˈveʃən/ noun [C,U]
He's clever enough, but he lacks motivation.他聪明是很聪明,就是缺乏干劲。