When you motivate people to do something, you make them want to do it, usually by giving them a good reason to do it. To motivate someone is to help them feel ready and able and excited to do something.
A coach might motivate a team by saying, "You guys are strong! You're so fast! Let's get out there and play hard!"
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When you're motivated, there's something you really want, and you are going for it—working hard, trying hard, and not giving up. You might be motivated to read an entire chapter book because you really want to see what happens at the end. You might be motivated to study hard for a test because you want to earn an A and make your parents proud. You might be motivated to get dressed and packed up quickly in the mornings, because the sooner you're done, the more free time you get to enjoy before school.
It's always motivating when you see that you've gotten better at something, or that you've already learned a lot. That motivates you to keep going and do even better. Whatever motivates you is your motivation: your reason to keep on doing what you're doing!
Make a flash card:
You can write your own definition and choose your own picture, or copy mine.
Term
Definition
Picture
motivate
to make someone feel ready and excited to do something, even if it'll be hard work
Write your own sentence!
You can use either of the two ideas I'll suggest, or you can invent your own. Include as much detail as you can!