estimular

to stimulate

verb eh-stee-moo-LAHR Less Common

Origin: From Latin stimulare (to goad, urge on).

Also means

to encourage

Usage Note

Estimular is used both in a biological sense (estimular el sistema nervioso, to stimulate the nervous system) and in a motivational sense (estimular la economía, to stimulate the economy; estimular a alguien, to encourage someone). It is more formal than animar for motivational uses. The noun is estímulo (stimulus/incentive).

Examples

"El ejercicio físico estimula la producción de endorfinas."

Natural Translation

Physical exercise stimulates the production of endorphins.

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