motive

¹

[moh-tiv]

noun

1. something that causes a person to act in a certain way, do a certain thing, etc.; incentive.

   Synonyms: cause, ground, occasion, influence, spur, stimulus, incitement, motivation

2. the goal or object of a person's actions.

   Her motive was revenge.

3. (in art, literature, and music) a motif.

adjective

1. causing, or tending to cause, motion.

2. pertaining to motion.

3. prompting to action.

4. constituting a motive or motives.

verb (used with object)

motived, motiving 

1. to motivate.

-motive

²

1. a combining form of motive.

   automotive.

motive

/ ˈməʊtɪv /

noun

1. the reason for a certain course of action, whether conscious or unconscious

2. a variant of motif

adjective

1. of or causing motion or action

   a motive force

2. of or acting as a motive; motivating

verb

1. to motivate

Other Word Forms

• motiveless adjective
• motivelessly adverb
• motivelessness noun
• well-motived adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of motive¹

First recorded in 1325–75; (for the adjective) Middle English, from Middle French motif, from Medieval Latin mōtīvus “serving to move,” from Latin mōt(us) “moved” (past participle of movēre “to move”; move ) + -īvus -ive; noun derivative of the adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of motive¹

C14: from Old French motif, from Late Latin mōtīvus (adj) moving, from Latin mōtus, past participle of movēre to move

Synonym Study

Motive, incentive, inducement apply to whatever moves one to action. Motive is, literally, something that moves a person; an inducement, something that leads a person on; an incentive, something that inspires a person. Motive is applied mainly to an inner urge that moves or prompts a person to action, though it may also apply to a contemplated result, the desire for which moves the person: His motive was a wish to be helpful. Inducement is never applied to an inner urge, and seldom to a goal: The pleasure of wielding authority may be an inducement to get ahead. It is used mainly of opportunities offered by the acceptance of certain conditions, whether these are offered by a second person or by the factors of the situation: The salary offered me was a great inducement. Incentive was once used of anything inspiring or stimulating the emotions or imagination: incentives to piety; it has retained of this its emotional connotations, but (rather like inducement ) is today applied only to something offered as a reward, and offered particularly to stimulate competitive activity: to create incentives for higher achievement. See reason.

Example Sentences

"Greed can be a powerful motive, and I consider there was substantial greed here," said Mr Justice Baker.

From BBC

While the motive for PIF's purchase of EA might be up for debate, the country's need to diversify its economic income is not.

From BBC

The recent trial dredged up old memories, with some evidence suggesting gang loyalties pushed Echeverria and Pineda to commit the grisly crime — while prosecutor David Ayvazian alleged a more sinister motive.

From Los Angeles Times

Investigators are searching for a motive after a gunman opened fire at a Mormon church in Michigan and set the building on fire, killing four people.

From BBC

Speaking at a news conference on Monday, officials said the incident was a "targeted act of violence", but said they had not yet ascertained Sanford's motive.

From BBC

Related Words

• aim 
• cause 
• consideration 
• emotion 
• feeling 
• idea 
• impulse 
• influence 
• intent 
• intention 
• motivation 
• passion 
• rationale 

When To Use

What does motive mean?

A motive is something that causes a person to act in a certain way, as in Luciana’s motive for studying was the F she got on the last exam.A motive can also be the reward or benefit received for completing an action in a certain way or time, as in Yosef’s motive for signing up for the hike was to climb to the top of the mountain.Motive can also describe something as relating to motion or movement, such as a motive engine. A common misuse of this form is auto motive. The term automotive comes from the term, but it is a standalone word, not a phrase.Example: We need to identify a motive before we can continue investigating.