stimulate

Everyday

1. To stimulate means to make something more active or make it grow or work more: "Exercise stimulates your heart." tree →
2. To stimulate a person means to make them interested, excited or full of ideas: "The trip stimulated my interest in rocks." tree →
3. (science) In biology, to stimulate a nerve or sense is to make it react, for example light stimulates the eye. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons it appears with senses, nerves, muscles and plant growth. In money and news it is used for the economy ("stimulate spending"). In school, teachers want to stimulate curiosity and discussion. Phrases: "stimulate interest", "stimulate growth", "stimulate the brain", "stimulating conversation".

Examples

• Puzzles stimulate your brain. tree →
• Sunlight stimulates plants to grow. tree →
• The museum visit stimulated our curiosity about Egypt. tree →
• Coffee stimulates adults and keeps them awake. tree →
• Bright colours stimulate babies' eyes. tree →
• The government cut taxes to stimulate the economy. tree →
• The teacher asked questions to stimulate a discussion. tree →

Note

Regular verb. Adjective: stimulating (interesting, exciting). Noun: stimulation, stimulus (plural stimuli). Something that stimulates is a "stimulant".