DictionaryAI

stimulate

verb
STIM-yuh-layt/ˈstɪm.jəˌleɪt/UKSTIM-yuu-layt/ˈstɪm.jʊ.leɪt/

Formsstimulates, stimulating, stimulated

2 meanings of stimulate

Practice

  1. 1
    verbtransitive
    To make someone more active or eager to do something.

    Like giving someone a little push to get them started.

    Good teachers stimulate their students to ask questions.

    The coach tried to stimulate the team before the big match.

    Similarencourage, motivate, provoke, incite, drive

    Oppositediscourage, inhibit, dampen, stifle

    Note
  2. 2
    verbtransitive
    To make a living thing or one of its parts start working or become more active.

    Like flipping a switch that makes a machine start running.

    Caffeine can stimulate the brain and keep you awake.

    Bright light helps stimulate many plants to grow faster.

    Similararouse, excite, energize, invigorate, animate

    Oppositesedate, stifle

    Note

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Origin

From Latin stimulus, meaning a sting or goad. It came into English through the Latin verb stimulo, 'to urge or goad on'.