stimulus

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   Something that causes a reaction or response in a person, animal, or system.

   Grammar: Countable: use 'a stimulus' or 'stimuli'. The plural is 'stimuli'.

   Patterns

   • a stimulus for something
   • a stimulus to something
   • respond to a stimulus

   The loud noise was a stimulus that made the baby cry.

   In psychology, a stimulus is anything that produces a response.

   The new policy acted as a stimulus for economic growth.

2. 2nouncountable or uncountable

   Something that encourages activity, growth, or development.

   Grammar: Often used with 'provide', 'give', or 'act as'.

   Patterns

   • provide a stimulus for something
   • act as a stimulus to something

   The tax cut provided a stimulus for small businesses.

   Her speech was a stimulus to further discussion.

Word forms

Common combinations

respond to a stimulus

Plants respond to the stimulus of light.

a stimulus for growth

The grant was a stimulus for growth in the region.

provide a stimulus

The government provided a stimulus to the economy.

Synonyms and how they differ

incentive

Usually something that motivates people to act, often in business or policy; 'stimulus' is broader and can be physical or psychological.

trigger

Emphasizes the immediate cause of a reaction; 'stimulus' is the more technical term in psychology and biology.

Opposites

Word family

stimulate verb

To cause something to become active or more developed.

stimulating adjective

Making someone feel interested and excited.

stimulation noun

The act of encouraging activity or response.

Commonly confused: stimulus or stimulant?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “stimulus”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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