motivate, facilitate, utilize, spit, accomplish: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from IELTS Vocabulary set 148. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. motivate · verb/ˈmoʊ.tɪ.veɪt/

   to stimulate interest or enthusiasm in someone to do something

   The teacher used creative projects to motivate her students to explore their artistic skills.

   Synonyms: inspire, encourage, stimulate

   Origin: Originating from the Latin word 'motivare', which means 'to move'.

2. facilitate · verb/fəˈsɪlɪteɪt/

   to make a process easy or easier

   The new software will facilitate communication between team members, ensuring everyone stays updated.

   Synonyms: ease, assist, enable

   Origin: from Latin 'facilitare', meaning 'to make easy', from 'facilis' meaning 'easy'

3. utilize · verb/ˈjuːtəˌlaɪz/

   to make practical and effective use of something

   The team decided to utilize available resources more effectively to meet the project deadline.

   Synonyms: use, employ, apply

   Origin: Originated from late Middle English, from Latin 'utilizare', from 'utilis' meaning 'useful'.

4. spit · verb/spɪt/

   to eject saliva or other liquid from the mouth

   He couldn't help but spit out the bitter medicine after tasting it.

   Synonyms: expectorate, eject, spout

   Origin: Old English 'spittan', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch 'spuwen' and German 'spucken'.

5. accomplish · verb/əˈkɑːmplɪʃ/

   to achieve or complete successfully

   With hard work and determination, she was able to accomplish her lifelong dream of becoming a doctor.

   Synonyms: achieve, complete, fulfill

   Origin: From Middle English 'acomplisshen', from Old French 'accomplir', from Latin 'ad' (to) + 'complere' (to fill up, finish)