Motives: meaning, definitions and examples

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motives

 

[ หˆmษ™สŠtษชvz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

psychology

Reasons for behaving in a certain way; the general desire or willingness of someone to do something.

Synonyms

drives, purposes, reasons

Examples of usage

  • His motives for volunteering at the shelter were purely altruistic.
  • She couldn't understand his motives for leaving the company.
Context #2 | Noun

literature

The underlying intentions or goals of a character's actions in a literary work.

Synonyms

intentions, objectives, rationales

Examples of usage

  • The detective's true motives were revealed in the final chapter of the novel.
  • The antagonist's motives were shrouded in mystery until the climax of the play.

Translations

Translations of the word "motives" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น motivos

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค‰เคฆเฅเคฆเฅ‡เคถเฅเคฏ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Motive

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ motif

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะผะพั‚ะธะฒะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ motywy

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅ‹•ๆฉŸ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท motifs

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ motivos

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท motive

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋™๊ธฐ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฏูˆุงูุน

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ motivy

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ motรญvy

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅŠจๆœบ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ motivi

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ hvatar

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัะตะฑะตะฟั‚ะตั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒขแƒ˜แƒ•แƒ”แƒ‘แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ motivlษ™r

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ motivos

Etymology

The word 'motives' originated from the Latin word 'motivus', meaning 'moving'. In psychology, motives refer to the reasons behind a person's actions or behavior. The concept of motives has been studied extensively by psychologists and is crucial in understanding human behavior and motivation. In literature, motives are essential for character development and plot progression, adding depth and complexity to the storytelling. The term 'motives' is widely used in various fields to explain the driving forces behind actions, decisions, and creativity.

See also: motivate, motivated, motivation.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,674, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.