motive

1 of 4

noun

mo·​tive ˈmō-tiv 

sense 2 is also

mō-ˈtēv 

1

: something (such as a need or desire) that causes a person to act

a hidden/ulterior motive

Revenge was the murderer's motive.

—often used with for

No one knows the real/underlying motive for his behavior

2

: a recurrent phrase or figure that is developed through the course of a musical composition

3

: motif

the composition's recurring flute motive

motiveless

ˈmō-tiv-ləs 

adjective

motivelessly adverb

motivic

mō-ˈtē-vik 

adjective

motive

2 of 4

adjective (1)

mo·​tive ˈmō-tiv 

1

: of or relating to motion or the causing of motion

motive energy

2

: moving or tending to move to action

motive

3 of 4

verb

mo·​tive ˈmō-tiv 

motived; motiving

transitive verb

: motivate sense 1

motiveless

4 of 4

adjective (2)

mo·​tive·​less |ə̇vləs 

: lacking a motive

motiveless malignity

—S. T. Coleridge

motivelessly adverb

motivelessness noun

plural -es

Synonyms of motive

Noun

• matter
• theme
• topic
• motif
• question
• subject

Choose the Right Synonym for motive

motive, impulse, incentive, inducement, spur, goad mean a stimulus to action.

motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act.

a motive for the crime

impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.

buying on impulse

incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action.

a bonus was offered as an incentive

inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another.

offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe

spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor.

fear was a spur to action

goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire.

thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency

Examples of motive in a Sentence

Noun

Their motive in running away was to avoid being punished.

I think he's guilty of the crime. He had the motive, the means, and the opportunity.

She denied that her offer to help was based on selfish motives.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Authorities have not announced a possible motive, and the investigation remains ongoing. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2026

Police said the motive and circumstances surrounding the episode are under investigation. — Jason Green, Mercury News, 24 June 2026

Adjective

No suspect or motive information was known as of Saturday afternoon, the CHP said. — Brandon Downs, CBS News, 6 June 2026

Waters defended the original strategy, saying that both Judge Clifton Newman and the Supreme Court accepted the logic of the state’s motive theory. — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026

Verb

No information was provided on a suspect or motive in the incident. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 23 June 2026

At the time of writing, police have not identified a suspect or motive in her case. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 12 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French motif, motive, from motif, adjective, moving, from Medieval Latin motivus, from Latin motus, past participle of movēre to move

Adjective (1)

Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French motif, from Medieval Latin motivus

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1657, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing motive

• motive power
• profit motive
• ulterior motive

Rhymes for motive

• votive
• automotive
• locomotive
• electromotive
• emotive
• promotive

Kids Definition

motive

1 of 2 noun

mo·​tive ˈmōt-iv 

sense 2 is also

mō-ˈtēv 

1

: something (as a need or desire) that leads or influences a person to do something

their motive in running away was to avoid trouble

2

: motif

motive

2 of 2 adjective

mo·​tive ˈmōt-iv 

: of, relating to, or causing motion

motive power

Medical Definition

motive

noun

mo·​tive ˈmōt-iv 

: something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act

Legal Definition

motive

noun

mo·​tive

: something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act

Note: Motive is distinguished from intent or mens rea. Although motive is not an element of a crime, evidence of motive can be introduced to help establish intent.

Etymology

Noun

Anglo-French motif, from Middle French motif adjective, moving, from Medieval Latin motivus, from Latin motus, past participle of movēre to move