noun
motive
MOH-tihv
noun
1
A reason that drives someone to act, especially in a suspicious or criminal context.
"Police still haven't established a motive for the break-in."
"Her motive for helping was pure kindness, nothing more."
adj
1
Causing or producing movement.
"Steam was once the motive force behind most factory machinery."
How to Use Motive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe underlying reason behind an action.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with motif, which is a repeated artistic pattern, not a reason for acting.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
ulterior motive
hidden motive
motive for the crime
Word Forms
motived past tense, motives singular
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Police still haven't established a _____ for the break-in.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman motif, from Late Latin motivum ("a moving cause").