NYT Dictionary

MOTIVATOR

/ˈmoʊ.təˌveɪ.təɹ/
NounMO-ti-va-tormo-ti-va-tor · 4 syllablesGrade 6

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2024, 2025

Meaning

One who inspires or motivates someone; one who drives someone to act.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

Etymology tree Anglo-Norman motifder. Middle French motifder. Proto-Indo-European *m(y)ewh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-yeti Proto-Indo-European *-éyeti Proto-Indo-European *m(y)owh₁éyeti Proto-Italic *moweō Latin moveō Latin mōtus Proto-Indo-European *-wós Proto-Indo-European *-iHwósder. Latin -īvus Late Latin mōtīvumder. Middle English motif English motive Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂tos Proto-Italic *-ātos Latin -ātuslbor. English -ate English motivate Proto-Indo-European *-tōr Proto-Italic *-tōr Latin -tor Latin -ātor Old French -eorbor. Middle English -our ▲ Latin -torlbor. English -or English motivator From motivate + -or.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

incentiveinducement

Antonyms

disincentive

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles, including a pangram:

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