Definition

1. Noun:

   • A reason for doing something: A "motive" is the underlying cause, desire, or need that prompts a person to act in a particular way.
   • A recurring theme in art or music: In creative works, a "motive" is a distinctive and recurring pattern, design, or melodic idea.

2. Adjective:

   • Causing or relating to motion: Describes something that produces or is capable of producing physical movement.
   • Impelling to action: Describes something that provides a reason or incentive to act.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Reason):

  • The police could not determine a motive for the crime.
  • Her primary motive for studying was to get a better job.

• Noun (Artistic Theme):

  • The floral motive is repeated throughout the wallpaper design.
  • The composer developed the musical motive throughout the symphony.

• Adjective (Causing Motion):

  • Steam provided the motive power for early locomotives.
  • The motive force of the engine drives the wheels.

• Adjective (Impelling Action):

  • The speech was full of motive pleas for charitable donations.

Advanced Usage

• "Ulterior motive": A hidden reason for an action, different from the reason given.

  • I suspect he has an ulterior motive for being so helpful.

• "Mixed motives": Having more than one reason for an action, which may conflict.

  • She agreed to help, but with mixed motives of kindness and a desire for recognition.

Variants and Related Words

• Motivate (verb): To provide someone with a motive; to stimulate interest or action.

  • A good teacher knows how to motivate students.

• Motivation (noun): The general desire or willingness to do something; the reason or reasons behind an action.

  • His motivation for running the marathon was to raise money for charity.

• Motivational (adjective): Providing motivation; inspiring.

  • The coach gave a motivational speech before the big game.

Synonyms

• Noun (Reason): Reason, incentive, impetus, cause, purpose.
• Noun (Theme): Pattern, design, theme, leitmotif.
• Adjective (Causing motion): Propelling, driving, motor.
• Adjective (Impelling action): Motivational, motivating, persuasive.

Related Phrases

• "Question someone's motives": To doubt or inquire about the reasons behind someone's actions.

  • It's unfair to question her motives; she's just trying to help.

• "From the best of motives": Acting with good or honorable intentions.

  • He intervened, from the best of motives, but made the situation worse.

Adjective

1. impelling to action
   • it may well be that ethical language has primarily a motivative function- Arthur Pap
   • motive pleas
   • motivating arguments
2. causing or able to cause motion
   • a motive force
   • motive power
   • motor energy

Noun

1. a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration
2. a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music
3. the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
   • we did not understand his motivation
   • he acted with the best of motives