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- DictionaryMo·tive/ˈmōdiv/
noun
- 1. a reason for doing something, especially one that is hidden or not obvious: "a motive for his murder"
- 2. (in art, literature, or music) a motif: "the entire work grows organically from the opening horn motive"
adjective
- 1. producing physical or mechanical motion: "the charge of gas is the motive force for every piston stroke"
- 2. causing or being the reason for something: "the motive principle of a writer's work"
motive meaning, definition, what is motive: the reason that makes someone do somethi...: Learn more.
Definition of motive – Learner’s Dictionary. motive. noun [ C ] uk / ˈməʊtɪv / us. Add to word list. B2. a reason for doing something: The police don't yet know the motive for the killing. (Definition of motive from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press) Translations of motive. in Chinese (Traditional) 動機, （行動的）緣由, 目的…
Definition of motive adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
n. something that causes a person to act in a certain way, do a certain thing, etc.; incentive. the goal or object of a person's actions: Her motive was revenge. (in art, literature, and music) a motif. adj. causing, or tending to cause, motion. pertaining to motion. prompting to action. constituting a motive or motives. v.t. to motivate.
1. : something (such as a need or desire) that causes a person to act. Revenge was the murderer's motive. 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.
Jun 16, 2023 · Motive definition: Your motive for doing something is your reason for doing it. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples
There are nine meanings listed in OED's entry for the adjective motive, four of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
