# motivator

/ˈmoʊtəveɪtɝ/ (US) · /mˈəʊtɪvˌeɪtɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/motivator
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

something that gives you a reason to work hard or do something. It can be a person, a goal, or even a small reward.

For teachers: a person, thing, or situation that provides a reason for someone to act or behave in a particular way. Often used to describe internal drives or external incentives.

## Examples

- A good salary is a strong motivator for many people.
- The manager introduced a new bonus system to serve as a motivator for the sales team during the busy holiday season.
- While some find intrinsic satisfaction in their work to be the ultimate motivator, others require external validation or tangible rewards to maintain their productivity over the long term.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.