Stimulate Meaning and Definition
Stimulate
Pronunciation
/ˈstɪmʊleɪt/
Part of Speech
Verb
Definition
To cause an activity or process to start or begin, often by providing encouragement, support, or motivation.
Examples
- The motivational speaker helped to stimulate the audience to take action.
- The new policy aimed to stimulate economic growth in the region.
Synonyms
- Provocative
- Inspirational
Antonyms
- Inhibit
- Silence
Etymology
From Old French stimuler, from Latin stimuli, stimulus, from stimulare, to rouse, from stirare, to stir.
Usage Notes
Stimulate can be used as a verb or a noun, and is often used to describe the act of encouraging or motivating someone or something.
Cultural References
The term “stimulate” is often used in marketing and advertising to describe the intended effect of a product or service on its target audience.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“Stimulate the senses” is a common idiomatic expression that means to engage or excite the senses, often through sensory experiences like art, music, or food.
Related Words or Phrases
- Motivate
- Enthusiasm
- Possibility
Collocations
- Stimulate creativity
- Stimulate innovation
- Stimulate growth
Frequency of Use
Stimulate is a moderately rare word in modern language, used most frequently in formal or professional contexts.
Common Misspellings
- Stimatulate
- Stymulate
- Stumulate