WordGarden.iomotive
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈəʊtɪv/
US
- /ˈmoʊtɪv/
Meanings
Noun
a reason or intended purpose behind an action, especially a hidden one
Adjective
providing movement or driving force, especially in machinery
Beyond the definition
Every action has a motive – a reason why someone does something. A detective might search for the motive behind a crime, while you might have a simple motive like wanting a snack! It's what pushes us to act, whether it's conscious or hidden. Think of a character in a story; understanding their motives helps you understand them.
Sometimes, "motive" is used when discussing art or design – the repeating patterns and shapes are called motifs (pronounced mo-TEEF), which can be easily confused! Remember: motive explains why, while motif is a recurring element.
Imagine a clockmaker carefully assembling gears. What drives him? Perhaps it's a love of precision, a desire to create something beautiful, or the need to earn a living – these are his motives. A motive is the underlying reason or intention behind an action, a decision, or even a belief. It's the "why" that fuels behavior.
Motive often comes into play in legal contexts. When investigating a crime, detectives try to establish a suspect's motive: did they have financial troubles? Were they driven by jealousy? Understanding the motive can help explain the act and support the case. However, motives aren't always clear-cut or even logical. Sometimes people act impulsively, and their reasons are complex or hidden.
Beyond crime, we use "motive" in everyday life to understand other people's actions. "I don't understand his motive for quitting" means you can't figure out why he left his job. Or, "She had ulterior motives" suggests she wasn't being entirely honest about her reasons.
The word comes from the Latin "movere," meaning "to move." Think of a motive as the force that moves someone to act. It's the internal engine driving their choices and behaviors.
So whether you're unraveling a mystery, analyzing human behavior, or simply trying to understand why someone did something, remember that every action is driven by a motive – a reason, intention, or underlying cause.
Examples
- 1
Kindness
She helped him out of kindness, with no other motive.
- 2
Crime investigation
Police are still looking for a motive for the attack.
- 3
Financial reason
Money was the main motive behind the decision.
- 4
Timing
I don't know his motive in telling us so late.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Crime context
The detective said the suspect had both a motive and an opportunity.
- 6
Suspicion
She began to question his motives after he asked for her password.
- Patternquestion someone's motives
wonder whether their reasons are honest
- 7
Hidden reason
He offered to help, but I suspected he had an ulterior motive.
- Phrasean ulterior motive
a secret reason, often selfish
- 8
Business denial
The company denied that profit was its only motive.
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- motivenounadjective
Forms
- motivespluralnounadjective