What does "motive" mean?

1. (reason for action) the reason why you do something, especially a reason that other people might not know. 2. (criminal reason) the specific reason why someone would want to commit a crime. 3. (a social plan) a plan to go out or a social event like a party. 4. (causing motion) describing something that provides the power to move. 5. (to incite) to give someone a reason to act or to encourage them to do something.

How do you use "motive"?

Usually placed before the noun it modifies. This verb is transitive and requires a direct object.

motive

n. · adj. · v.

US //ˈmoʊtɪv// UK //mˈəʊtɪv// mo·tive

1 reason for action (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the reason why you do something, especially a reason that other people might not know.

the psychological or situational incentive that prompts a specific choice or action.

Example

The police are still trying to find a motive for the robbery.

Example

The investigator questioned whether the CEO had a financial motive for leaking the confidential merger details to the press.
- deterrent
2 criminal reason (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Law

the specific reason why someone would want to commit a crime.

the specific cause or drive behind criminal behaviour, often used in legal contexts to establish intent.

Example

The lawyer argued that his client had no motive to hurt the victim.

Example

In a criminal trial, establishing a clear motive can be as crucial as providing physical evidence to convince a jury of the defendant's guilt.
- intent
- cause

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3 a social plan (n.)
C1 Advanced British English Slang

a plan to go out or a social event like a party.

a planned social gathering or an intention to meet friends for an event.

Example

Are you coming to the motive at Sarah's house tonight?

Example

They were looking for a motive after the concert, but most of the local clubs had already reached capacity.
4 causing motion (adj.)
C1 Advanced Technical Science

describing something that provides the power to move.

relating to motion or providing the force that produces movement.

Example

Steam provided the motive power for the first trains.

Example

The engineer explained that the motive force behind the turbine was high-pressure gas rather than liquid fuel.

Usage

Usually placed before the noun it modifies.
- driving
- propelling
- static
- stationary
5 to incite (v.)
C2 Proficiency Formal

to give someone a reason to act or to encourage them to do something.

to prompt or incite an individual to action by providing a motive.

Example

The desire for fame can motive people to work very hard.

Example

The promise of a significant bonus was intended to motive the sales team toward exceeding their quarterly targets.

Usage

This verb is transitive and requires a direct object.
- discourage

Origin

From Middle English motif, from Anglo-Norman motif, Middle French motif, and their source, Late Latin motivum (“motive, moving cause”), neuter of motivus.

Word family

Nounmotive
Adjectiveautomotive