Motive Definition, Usage & Common Examples

Meaning 1：inner drive (motive)

motive 🔊

/ˈmoʊtɪv/

A strong inner reason that makes someone want to do something.

Illustration of a person's inner motive: visualizing personal goals like learning guitar

inner drive 🔊

➕

/ˈɪnər draɪv/

The internal psychological force, desire, or need that prompts a person to act in a particular way.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'motivus' (moving), from 'movere' (to move).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'motive' as the 'motor' or engine behind an action. What moves someone? Their motive.

📖 Example

Her strong motive for improving her English was to be able to communicate with her pen pal in Canada. 🔊 The inner drive that pushed her to learn English stemmed from a desire to connect with her friend abroad.

🔗 Collocations

ulterior motive – A hidden or secret reason for doing something.

profit motive – The desire for financial gain as a driving force in business.

motive force – A power or influence that causes movement or action.

🔄 Synonyms

reason (n.) – A cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event.

incentive (n.) – A thing that motivates or encourages someone to do something.

purpose (n.) – The reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.

🚫 Antonyms

inactivity (n.) – The state of doing nothing or having no purpose that drives action.

deterrent (n.) – A thing that discourages or is intended to discourage someone from acting.

🌱 Derivatives

motivate (v.) – To provide someone with a motive for doing something; to stimulate interest.

motivation (n.) – The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.

motiveless (adj.) – Without a discernible reason or motive.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'motive' entered English in the late 14th century from Old French 'motif', ultimately from the Latin 'motivus'. In law and psychology, establishing a motive is crucial for understanding behavior, linking inner cause to observable action.