Motive: meaning, definitions and examples
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motive
[ ˈmoʊtɪv ]
in psychology
A reason for doing something, especially one that is hidden or not obvious.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- She had a strong motive for helping him.
- The police are trying to establish a motive for the crime.
in art and literature
The reason why a character behaves in a certain way or why events happen in a particular order in a story.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The character's motive for committing the crime was jealousy.
- The author's motive for writing the novel was to raise awareness about social issues.
formal
Causing or being the reason for something to happen.
Synonyms
driving, inspiring, motivating
Examples of usage
- The motive force behind the change in policy was public opinion.
- She had a motive desire to succeed.
Translations
Translations of the word "motive" in other languages:
🇵🇹 motivo
- motivo
- motivação
🇮🇳 प्रेरणा
- उद्देश्य
- कारण
🇩🇪 Motiv
- Beweggrund
- Antrieb
🇮🇩 motif
- alasan
- dorongan
🇺🇦 мотив
- причина
- спонукання
🇵🇱 motyw
- przyczyna
- bodziec
🇯🇵 動機 (どうき)
- 理由 (りゆう)
- 原動力 (げんどうりょく)
🇫🇷 motif
- raison
- motivation
🇪🇸 motivo
- razón
- impulso
🇹🇷 güdü
- neden
- teşvik
🇰🇷 동기 (동기)
- 이유 (이유)
- 원동력 (원동력)
🇸🇦 دافع
- سبب
- حافز
🇨🇿 motiv
- důvod
- podnět
🇸🇰 motív
- dôvod
- podnet
🇨🇳 动机 (dòngjī)
- 理由 (lǐyóu)
- 动力 (dònglì)
🇸🇮 motiv
- razlog
- spodbuda
🇮🇸 hvöt
- ástæða
- hvatning
🇰🇿 мотив
- себеп
- ынталандыру
🇬🇪 მოტივი
- მიზეზი
- სტიმული
🇦🇿 motiv
- səbəb
- təkan
🇲🇽 motivo
- razón
- impulso
Word origin
The word 'motive' originated from the Latin word 'motivus', meaning 'moving' or 'impelling'. In the 14th century, it was adopted into Middle English from Old French. The concept of motive has been explored in various fields such as psychology, literature, and law, highlighting its significance in understanding human behavior and actions.