motive

/ˈməʊtɪv/ (UK), /ˈmoʊtɪv/ (US)

noun

  1. A reason for doing something, especially one that is not immediately obvious.

    B1

    countable

    • "What was his motive for leaving?"B1
    • "His motive for volunteering was to gain experience."B1
    • "Understanding the motive behind the policy change is crucial."B2
    • "Her charitable actions were questioned because people suspected a selfish motive."C1

  2. A reason that causes someone to commit a crime.

    B2

    countable

    • "The police found a possible motive for the murder."B2
    • "The suspect had no clear motive."B2
    • "The prosecution failed to establish a convincing motive for the defendant's actions."C1

adjective

  1. Causing or producing movement.

    C1

    usually before a nountechnical

    • "The engine provides the motive power for the machine."C1
    • "The system uses motive force to move the vehicle forward."C1

Common mistakes

  • motivate→motive

    Remember, 'motive' is a noun, while 'motivate' is a verb.

Collocations

hidden motiveulterior motivepersonal motivemotive formotive behindmotive forcemotive powermotive for action

Word family

motivatemotivatedmotivatingmotivationmotivational