stimulate
gb/stˈɪmjəlˌeɪt/ us/stˈɪmjəlˌeɪt/
B1
English
~ 3600
ösztönöz, felkelt, élénkít, serkent, ingerel, elősegít
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to stimulate [someone/something] to [do something]
The teacher used games to stimulate the students' curiosity.
A tanár játékokat használt arra, hogy felkeltse a diákok kíváncsiságát.
The government lowered taxes to stimulate the economy.
A kormány adót csökkentett, hogy élénkítse a gazdaságot.
The documentary was made to stimulate public debate about climate change.
This new policy aims to stimulate innovation in technology.
His speech was meant to stimulate interest in the project.
Learner examples
The teacher asked questions to stimulate thinking.
A tanár kérdéseket tett fel, hogy gondolkodásra ösztönözze a diákokat.
The new park will stimulate tourism in the city.
Az új park élénkíteni fogja a város turizmusát.
Music can stimulate children to learn.
The game will stimulate teamwork.
Books can stimulate your imagination.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'stimulate' with 'simulate'. 'Stimulate' means to encourage activity, while 'simulate' means to copy or imitate something.
Meaning
Encourage interest or activity
Collocations
stimulate growth
|stimulate interest
|stimulate the economy
|stimulate discussion
|stimulate demand
Synonyms
encourage (More general, can be emotional or moral support without increasing activity directly.)
|
motivate (Focuses on giving someone a reason to act, often internal drive.)
Antonyms
discourage (To make someone lose confidence or enthusiasm.)
|
suppress (To hold back or reduce activity or expression.)
Themes
emotions
|education
|business
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make someone or something more active or interested.
To encourage or increase interest, enthusiasm, or activity in someone or something.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
to stimulate [a body part/process]
Caffeine can stimulate the central nervous system.
A koffein serkentheti a központi idegrendszert.
The treatment is designed to stimulate hair growth.
A kezelés célja, hogy serkentse a hajnövekedést.
Bright light stimulates the brain and makes it harder to sleep.
Massage can stimulate blood circulation.
Spicy food can stimulate the appetite.
Learner examples
Exercise will stimulate your heart.
A testmozgás serkenti a szíved működését.
Light stimulates the eyes.
A fény ingerli a szemet.
Sugar can stimulate energy for a short time.
This drug will stimulate the nerves in your hand.
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'stimulate' instead of 'stir' when talking about mixing liquids; these are unrelated meanings.
Meaning
Cause physical reaction
Collocations
stimulate the brain
|stimulate nerve endings
|stimulate appetite
|stimulate blood flow
Synonyms
activate (More general; can refer to machines, systems, or processes.)
|
arouse (Can have physical meaning but also emotional; 'stimulate' is more clinical here.)
Antonyms
depress (In medical terms, to slow down or reduce activity of a body function.)
Themes
health
|science
|body
Definition
To make a part of the body work faster or harder.
To cause a part of the body or an organism to become more active or responsive.
VERB
B1
3
Usage pattern:
to stimulate [growth/development]
The fertilizer will stimulate plant growth.
A műtrágya serkenti a növények növekedését.
Lower interest rates are expected to stimulate the housing market.
Az alacsonyabb kamatlábak várhatóan élénkítik a lakáspiacot.
The new training program is designed to stimulate innovation among employees.
Learner examples
Water stimulates plant growth.
A víz elősegíti a növények növekedését.
The new law will stimulate business.
Az új törvény élénkíteni fogja az üzleti életet.
Good teachers stimulate learning.
Meaning
Encourage growth or development
Collocations
stimulate economic growth
|stimulate plant growth
|stimulate innovation
Synonyms
promote (Broader; can mean publicize or advance in rank as well as encourage growth.)
|
boost (More informal; often used for quick increases rather than gradual development.)
Antonyms
hinder (To make progress slower or more difficult.)
|
stifle (To hold back development completely.)
Themes
business
|science
|education
|work
Definition
To help something grow or develop.
To promote the growth, development, or improvement of something over time.
Grammar
Dictionary form
stimulate
IPA
GB/stˈɪmjəlˌeɪt/
US/stˈɪmjəlˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
stim - u - late (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (stim)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: stimulate
- 3rd Person Singular: stimulates
- Present Participle: stimulating
- Past: stimulated
Word family
Forms
stimulates
verb
stimulating
verb
stimulated
verb
Core family
stimulation
noun B2
stimulus
noun C1
Related words
stimulant
noun C1
Negative and opposite forms
unstimulating
adjective
Advanced or less common
stimulative
adjective
stimulator
noun
Expressions
stimulate growth
1/stˈɪmjəlˌeɪt ɡɹˈoʊθ/
fixed phrase
Encourage increase or development
To help something grow bigger, better, or faster.
Examples
- The new fertilizer will stimulate growth in crops.
- Investment in education can stimulate growth in skilled workers.
stimulate interest
1/stˈɪmjəlˌeɪt ˈɪntɚˌɛst/
fixed phrase
Encourage curiosity or involvement
To make people curious about something and want to know more.
Examples
- The book’s title is designed to stimulate interest among young readers.
- The campaign aims to stimulate interest in recycling.
stimulate the economy
1/stˈɪmjəlˌeɪt ðə ɪkˈɑnəmi/
fixed phrase
Encourage economic activity and growth
To make a country’s economy more active and growing.
Examples
- The government hopes that lower taxes will stimulate the economy.
- Tourism has helped stimulate the economy in rural areas.