stimulated

Everyday

1. Stimulated is the past form of «stimulate»: made something more active, or made it start or grow. tree →
2. If a person is stimulated, their mind is interested, excited and full of ideas. tree →
3. (science) In the body, a nerve, muscle or sense is stimulated when something triggers it to react, like light stimulating the eye. tree →

In the lessons

In science, «stimulated» describes how nerves, cells or plants respond to light, heat, touch or chemicals. In school life, teachers want pupils to be stimulated, meaning curious and engaged. In money and news, spending can be «stimulated» by low prices. Phrases: «stimulated by», «well stimulated», «over-stimulated» (too much noise and excitement, often said of babies, pets or autistic children).

Examples

• The trip to the museum stimulated our interest in dinosaurs. tree →
• Bright light stimulated the cells in the eye. tree →
• The toddler was over-stimulated by the noisy party and started crying. tree →
• Lower prices stimulated sales at the shop. tree →
• The story stimulated lots of questions from the class. tree →
• Warm weather stimulated the seeds to sprout. tree →
• I felt stimulated and full of ideas after the science fair. tree →

Note

Regular verb: stimulate → stimulated. Used both actively («The film stimulated discussion») and passively («We were stimulated by the talk»). «Over-stimulated» means too much input, not «very clever». Do not confuse with «simulated» (copied or faked, as in a simulated flight).