motive
MOH-tihv
Motive (noun) means a reason that drives someone to act, especially in a suspicious or criminal context. Example: “The detective asked what motive anyone could have for taking the painting.”
noun
1
A reason that drives someone to act, especially in a suspicious or criminal context.
"The detective asked what motive anyone could have for taking the painting."
"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.
"A falling weight was the motive power for the old clock."
"The engine supplies the motive energy that turns the wheels."
"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
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like motive.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Third person singular
- motives
- Past tense
- motived
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The detective asked what _____ anyone could have for taking the painting.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman motif, from Late Latin motivum ("a moving cause").
Synonyms
View more →
incentive
rationale
impetus
inducement
grounds
spur
motivation
need
motif
motor
motivating
motivative
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for motive
See all rhymes for motive →Frequently asked questions
What does “motive” mean?
The word “motive” means a reason that drives someone to act, especially in a suspicious or criminal context. In plain terms, the underlying reason behind an action.
How do you pronounce “motive”?
“Motive” is pronounced MOH-tihv (/ˈmoʊtɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “motive” in a sentence?
Here is “motive” used in a sentence: “Police still haven't established a motive for the break-in.”
What part of speech is “motive”?
Depending on how it is used, “motive” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “motive” come from?
The word “motive” comes from Late Latin. From Anglo-Norman motif, from Late Latin motivum ("a moving cause").
Is “motive” a common word?
“Motive” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “motive” have?
“Motive” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a reason that drives someone to act, especially in a suspicious or criminal context.
What is the difference between a motive and a motivation?
A motive is the specific reason behind a particular action, often used in legal or criminal contexts, such as a motive for a crime. Motivation is broader and refers to the general drive or willingness to do something, especially over time.
What is the difference between 'motive' and 'motif'?
A motive is a reason that drives someone to act, while a motif is a recurring theme, idea, or design element in art, music, or literature. The two words are often confused because they sound similar, but they are unrelated in meaning.
What is the difference between a motive and a reason?
A reason is any explanation for why something happens, while a motive specifically refers to the underlying drive that causes a person to act, often with a hint of suspicion. In everyday use a motive suggests personal or hidden intent, whereas a reason can be neutral or purely factual.
What preposition is used with 'motive'?
Motive is most often followed by 'for' or 'behind', as in a motive for the attack or the motive behind the decision. These prepositions link the motive to the action it explains.
