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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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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.
MOTIVE definition: 1. a reason for doing something: 2. (of power or force) causing movement or action 3. a reason for…. Learn more.
Definitions of motive. noun. the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior. “he acted with the best of motives ” synonyms: motivation, need. see more. adjective. causing or able to cause motion. “a motive force” “ motive power”
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.
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.
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.
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.
noun. /ˈməʊtɪv/ motive (for something) a reason for doing something. There seemed to be no motive for the murder. I'm suspicious of his motives. the profit motive (= the desire to make a profit) I have an ulterior motive in offering to help you.
There are nine meanings listed in OED's entry for the adjective motive, four of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. motive has developed meanings and uses in subjects including.
:a reason for doing something. Their motive in running away was to avoid being punished. I think he's guilty of the crime. He had the motive, the means, and the opportunity. She denied that her offer to help was based on selfish motives. hidden/ulterior motives. making decisions based on the profit motive [=the desire to make a profit]
