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- Dictionarymotive/ˈməʊtɪv/
noun
- 1. a reason for doing something: "police were unable to establish a motive for his murder" Similar
- 2. a motif in art, literature, or music. Similar
adjective
- 1. producing physical or mechanical motion: "the charge of gas is the motive force for every piston stroke"
- 2. causing or being the reason for something: "the motive principle of a writer's work"
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MOTIVE definition: 1. a reason for doing something: 2. (of power or force) causing movement or action 3. a reason for…. Learn more.
noun. 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. the goal or object of a person's actions: Her motive was revenge. (in art, literature, and music) a motif.
The meaning of MOTIVE is something (such as a need or desire) that causes a person to act. How to use motive in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Motive.
the cause of something. reason I frankly don’t understand the reason for the delay. cause Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the fire. root We need to get to the root of her problems. motive There seems to have been no motive for the murder. ground (s) On what grounds was she dismissed? See more results » More examples.
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.
a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration. synonyms: motif. see more.
Definition of motive noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
MOTIVE meaning: a reason for doing something: . Learn more.
Definition of motive adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
n. 1. An emotion, desire, physiological need, or similar impulse that acts as an incitement to action. 2. (mō′tĭv, mō-tēv′) A motif in art, literature, or music. adj. 1. Causing or able to cause motion: motive power. 2. Causing an action: motive pleas.
