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motive

Pronunciation: /ˈməʊtɪv/

The English word “motive” has 9 meanings listed here.

noun

  1. An idea or communication that makes one want to act, especially from spiritual sources; a divine prompting.
  2. 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.
  3. Something which causes someone to want to commit a crime; a reason for criminal behaviour.
  4. A limb or other bodily organ that can move.
  5. A party, gathering, or get-together.
  6. One's plans for the day or night.

verb

  1. To prompt or incite by a motive or motives; to move.

adjective

  1. Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move
  2. Relating to motion and/or to its cause

Etymology

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

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