What does "motive" mean?
An idea or communication that makes one want to act, especially from spiritual sources; a divine prompting.
Motive
/ˈməʊtɪv/ adj, noun, verb
adj, noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An idea or communication that makes one want to act, especially from spiritual sources; a divine prompting.
- Grammar: motive is listed as adj, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: activating, active, actuating, agenda.
- Useful contrasts: no cause, accidental, immobile.
- Usage evidence: You may rest assured; I have no ulterior motive in making this donation.
How to use "motive"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "motive" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "motive" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "motive" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "motive" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "motive" is acting as adj, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "activating" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "motive", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An idea or communication that makes one want to act, especially from spiritual sources; a divine prompting. obsolete
"there's something in a woman beyond all human delight; a magnetic virtue, a charming quality, an occult and powerful motive."
- 2 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 wordnet
- 3 An incentive to act in a particular way; a reason or emotion that makes one want to do something; anything that prompts a choice of action.
"Many of them at first seemed kind to him, but it turned out their motives were not entirely altruistic."
- 4 a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration wordnet
- 5 A limb or other bodily organ that can move. obsolete, rare
"every joint and motive of her body"
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music wordnet
- 7 Something which causes someone to want to commit a crime; a reason for criminal behaviour.
"What would his motive be for burning down the cottage?"
- 8 Alternative form of motif. alt-of, alternative
"If you listen carefully, you can hear the flutes mimicking the cello motive."
- 9 A party, gathering, or get-together. British
- 10 One's plans for the day or night. British
"What's the motive for tonight, lads?"
Verb
- 1 To prompt or incite by a motive or motives; to move. transitive
Adjective
- 1 Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move not-comparable
"a motive argument"
- 2 Relating to motion and/or to its cause not-comparable
"Debussy's melody is fractional, fragmentary. But at the core all his music is melodic and melody is its main motive force."
Adjective
- 1 impelling to action wordnet
- 2 causing or able to cause motion wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"You may rest assured; I have no ulterior motive in making this donation."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "motive"?
Common synonyms include: activating, active, actuating, agenda, aim, aim.
How do you use "motive" in a sentence?
You may rest assured; I have no ulterior motive in making this donation.
How do you pronounce "motive"?
Pronounced /ˈməʊtɪv/.
Etymology
From Middle English motif, from Anglo-Norman motif, Middle French motif, and their source, Late Latin motivum (“motive, moving cause”), neuter of motivus.