self-motivated

adjective

self-mo·​ti·​vat·​ed ˌself-ˈmō-tə-ˌvā-təd 

: driven by one's own desires and ambitions : motivated by oneself

self-motivated students/employees

self-motivated learning

Examples of self-motivated in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Together, each of them becomes both director and actor, observing and observed, controlling and controlled, self-motivated and mutually determined, launched into a higher plane of artistic collaboration—into a cinematic redemption. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 31 July 2026

The impulse that underlies the rise of passion projects is a correct one—admissions officers at top schools want to admit students who are creative and driven, self-motivated and passionate about using their skills to benefit their communities. — Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Winning, in and of itself, is not enough for an impeccably gifted and self-motivated athlete who existentially must be involved in the act of winning. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 1 June 2026

The young people who pick up popular science books at the library tend to be deeply curious and self-motivated—qualities that also characterize great researchers. — Literary Hub, 20 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-motivated

• abbreviated
• accelerated
• accentuated
• accommodated
• acculturated
• accumulated
• acidulated
• adjudicated
• administrated
• adulterated
• affiliated
• agglomerated