How to pronounce motivated
Say it like MOH-tuh-vay-tud. Motivated has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce motivated. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MOH
- tuh
- vay
- tud
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Motivated pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- vayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- tudKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of motivated
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: MOH-tih-vay-tid.
What does motivated mean?
- provided with a motive or given incentive for action“a highly motivated child can learn almost anything”“a group of politically motivated men”
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
- unmotivated
Questions about saying motivated
How do you pronounce motivated?
Say MOH-tuh-vay-tud. The American pronunciation is /ˈmoʊtəˌveɪtəd/. In British English it is /ˈməʊtɪˌveɪtɪd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in motivated?
Motivated has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MOH). Broken into parts: MOH · tuh · vay · tud.
Is motivated pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈməʊtɪˌveɪtɪd/ (MOH-tih-vay-tid).