Meaning & Definition of Motive in English
English⟶
Motive
/moʊtɪv/
noun
1. 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
- "We did not understand his motivation"
- "He acted with the best of motives"
synonym:
- motivation,
- motive,
- need
2. A theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music
synonym:
- motif,
- motive
3. A design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration
synonym:
- motif,
- motive
adjective
1. Causing or able to cause motion
- "A motive force"
- "Motive power"
- "Motor energy"
synonym:
- motive(a),
- motor
2. Impelling to action
- "It may well be that ethical language has primarily a motivative function"- arthur pap
- "Motive pleas"
- "Motivating arguments"
synonym:
- motivative(a),
- motive(a),
- motivating
Examples of using
Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot.
What's his motive for committing murder?
What was his motive for doing it?