Dopamine
noun /ˈdoʊ.pə.miːn/ — The reward neurotransmitter; associated with pleasure and motivation
Definition
A neurotransmitter associated with reward, motivation, and pleasure — released in anticipation of reward and during pleasurable activities. Dopamine drives goal-directed behaviour and is central to addiction, habit formation, and motivation.
Beyond the definition
Dopamine is the word for wanting more — the chemical engine of desire and reward. It fires not just at pleasure but at the anticipation of pleasure, which is why the notification ping feels as good as the message itself.
Origin & history
Chemical compound name: DOPA (dihydroxyphenylalanine) + amine. Identified in the 1950s by Arvid Carlsson, who received the Nobel Prize in 2000. Its role in reward and motivation was gradually discovered through studies of Parkinson's disease.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Social media is engineered for dopamine — the variable reward schedule of the feed.
Dopamine doesn't make you happy. It makes you pursue happiness. Those are different things.
She broke the dopamine loop of checking her phone by turning notifications off entirely.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Dopamine” when the meaning fits your context: A neurotransmitter associated with reward, motivation, and pleasure — released in anticipation of reward and during pleasurable activities. Dopamine drives goal-directed behaviour and is central to addiction, habit formation, and motivation.
Synonyms
reward neurotransmitter, motivation molecule
Related words
Dopamine vs serotonin
Dopamine is associated with reward-seeking and motivation. Serotonin is primarily linked to mood stabilization and overall feelings of well-being.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Anticipation of the Decisive Moment
An adult stands on a balcony with a camera ready to capture a sunbeam.
The readiness to capture a fleeting event is driven by motivation and anticipation, central roles for dopamine. The desire to capture the perfect moment illustrates the goal-directed behavior dopamine stimulates, pushing one to seek and secure specific rewards.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Dopamine" mean?
Dopamine is noun meaning: The reward neurotransmitter; associated with pleasure and motivation. A neurotransmitter associated with reward, motivation, and pleasure — released in anticipation of reward and during pleasurable activities. Dopamine drives goal-directed behaviour and is central to addiction, habit formation, and motivation.
Where does the word "Dopamine" come from?
Chemical compound name: DOPA (dihydroxyphenylalanine) + amine. Identified in the 1950s by Arvid Carlsson, who received the Nobel Prize in 2000. Its role in reward and motivation was gradually discovered through studies of Parkinson's disease.