stimulus
gb/stˈɪmjələs/ us/stˈɪmjələs/
C1
English
~ 8500
Senses
0 senses
unknown
C1
entity
1
thing that causes a reaction
Something that makes a person, animal, or system react in some way.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] responds to a stimulus
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse the singular "stimulus" with the plural "stimuli" and may incorrectly say *"many stimulus"* instead of "many stimuli". Another common error is mixing up "stimulus" (the thing that causes a reaction) with "stimulation" (the process or state of being stimulated).
Synonyms
trigger (Emphasizes the starting point of a reaction, often used more broadly and informally.)
Antonyms
inhibitor (Suggests something that prevents or reduces a reaction, especially in scientific contexts.)
Collocations
external stimulus
|sensory stimulus
|visual stimulus
|painful stimulus
|respond to a stimulus
|strong stimulus
Themes
science
|psychology
|medicine
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- A sudden loud noise can act as a powerful stimulus for the startle reflex.
- The researcher measured how quickly the mouse responded to the light stimulus.
- Pain is usually the result of a harmful stimulus being detected by nerve endings.
- The baby turned its head toward the visual stimulus on the screen.
- Different parts of the brain activate depending on the type of stimulus presented.
Learner examples
- The doctor used a light as a stimulus to check the patient’s eyes.
- The dog moved its ear after a sound stimulus.
- A hot stove is a strong stimulus that makes you pull your hand away.
- The student did not react to the loud stimulus in the lab test.
- The scientist watched how the fish reacted to each new stimulus.
Noun
C1
entity
2
something that encourages action
Something that makes a person or group want to do more or do better.
Usage pattern:
[something] is a stimulus for/to [activity/development]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "motivation" where "stimulus" is more natural in formal writing, or they say *"give a stimulate"* instead of "give a stimulus" or "provide stimulation". Remember: "stimulus" is the thing; "motivate" is the verb; "motivation" and "stimulation" are nouns for the process or feeling.
Synonyms
incentive (Very close in meaning, but more common in everyday business and policy language.)
Antonyms
disincentive (Refers to something that makes people less willing to do something or invest effort.)
Collocations
a stimulus for growth
|a stimulus to innovation
|a stimulus for change
|provide a stimulus
|act as a stimulus
|create a stimulus
Themes
business
|education
|motivation
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The bonus acted as a strong stimulus for employees to meet their targets.
- Lower interest rates can be an important stimulus for business investment.
- The new museum has been a cultural stimulus for the entire city.
- Competition from abroad provided a much‑needed stimulus to improve product quality.
- The prize money offered a stimulus for young artists to submit their work.
Learner examples
- The teacher used small rewards as a stimulus for students to read more.
- Winning the local race was a stimulus for her to train harder.
- Cheap tickets were a stimulus for many fans to travel to the game.
- The new road will be a stimulus for trade in the area.
- Good feedback from customers is a strong stimulus to keep working hard.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
3
government measures to boost economy
Government plans, usually more spending or lower taxes, used to help the economy grow faster.
Usage pattern:
[government] introduces a stimulus [package/plan]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "stimulus" alone when a more specific phrase like "stimulus package" or "economic stimulus" is expected in news-style writing. They may also confuse "stimulus" with "subsidy" or "bailout", which are narrower types of financial help.
Synonyms
relief package (Often used in similar contexts, but focuses more on helping people or sectors in trouble, not only on boosting overall economic activity.)
Antonyms
austerity (Refers to policies that cut spending and often slow economic activity, the opposite of stimulus measures.)
Collocations
economic stimulus
|stimulus package
|fiscal stimulus
|monetary stimulus
|stimulus plan
|stimulus spending
Themes
economics
|politics
|business
|finance
Examples
- The government announced a major stimulus package to support the economy during the downturn.
- Many economists argued that more fiscal stimulus was needed to reduce unemployment.
- Central banks around the world introduced monetary stimulus to prevent a deep recession.
- The stimulus plan included tax rebates and increased infrastructure spending.
- Critics claim that the stimulus was too small to have a lasting effect on growth.
Learner examples
- The country used a large stimulus to help the economy after the crisis.
- Leaders agreed that some kind of stimulus was needed to save jobs.
- The stimulus package gave money to businesses and workers.
- Without the stimulus, the slowdown could have been much worse.
- Some people worry that the stimulus will increase government debt.
Grammar
Dictionary form
stimulus
IPA
GB/stˈɪmjələs/
US/stˈɪmjələs/
Syllables & stress
stim - u - lus (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (stim)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: stimulus
- Plural: stimuli
Word family
Forms
stimuli
noun
Core family
Related words
stimulant
noun C1
Negative and opposite forms
unstimulating
adjective
Advanced or less common
stimulator
noun
stimulative
adjective
Expressions
economic stimulus
1/ˌɛkənˈɑmɪk stˈɪmjələs/
fixed phrase
formal
government action to raise demand
Government steps, like spending or tax cuts, that are meant to make people and companies spend more money.
Examples
- Many countries used economic stimulus to fight the global slowdown.
- The report questions whether the economic stimulus was large enough.
external stimulus
1/ɪkstˈɚnəl stˈɪmjələs/
fixed phrase
technical
outside factor causing response
A change in the world outside a person or animal, like light or sound, that makes it react.
Examples
- The plant bends toward the external stimulus of light.
- The test measured the body’s reaction to an external stimulus such as heat.
fiscal stimulus
1/fˈɪskəl stˈɪmjələs/
fixed phrase
technical
stimulus via budget policy
Government changes to spending and taxes used to help the economy grow faster.
Examples
- The minister argued that strong fiscal stimulus was necessary to avoid a deep recession.
- Some economists warn that fiscal stimulus can raise public debt quickly.
monetary stimulus
1/mˈɑnɪtˌɛɹi stˈɪmjələs/
fixed phrase
technical
stimulus via central bank policy
Central bank actions, like lowering interest rates or buying bonds, to make borrowing cheaper and support the economy.
Examples
- The central bank provided strong monetary stimulus by cutting interest rates to near zero.
- Analysts expect further monetary stimulus if inflation stays low.
sensory stimulus
1/sˈɛnsɚi stˈɪmjələs/
fixed phrase
technical
input that activates the senses
Something like light, sound, touch, or smell that makes your sense organs react.
Examples
- The therapist reduced sensory stimulus in the room to help the patient relax.
- Each sensory stimulus was carefully controlled during the experiment.
stimulus package
1/stˈɪmjələs pˈækɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
formal
government plan to boost economy
A group of government actions, usually more spending and tax cuts, used together to help the economy grow.
Examples
- The president signed a massive stimulus package to protect jobs.
- Lawmakers are debating a new stimulus package aimed at small businesses.
visual stimulus
1/vˈɪʒuəl stˈɪmjələs/
fixed phrase
technical
sight-based cause of reaction
Something you see, like an image or light, that makes your eyes or brain react.
Examples
- Participants were shown a visual stimulus for half a second.
- The child did not respond to the visual stimulus but reacted to sound.