motive
something that causes a person to act in a certain way, do a certain thing, etc.; incentive.
the goal or object of a person's actions: Her motive was revenge.
(in art, literature, and music) a motif.
causing, or tending to cause, motion.
pertaining to motion.
prompting to action.
constituting a motive or motives.
Origin of motive
1synonym study For motive
Other words for motive
Other words from motive
- mo·tive·less, adjective
- mo·tive·less·ly, adverb
- mo·tive·less·ness, noun
- well-motived, adjective
Other definitions for -motive (2 of 2)
a combining form of motive: automotive.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for motive
/ (ˈməʊtɪv) /
the reason for a certain course of action, whether conscious or unconscious
a variant of motif (def. 2)
of or causing motion or action: a motive force
of or acting as a motive; motivating
to motivate
Origin of motive
1Derived forms of motive
- motiveless, adjective
- motivelessly, adverb
- motivelessness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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