motive
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: motives · motiving · motived
Sense 1
An incentive to act in a particular way; a reason or emotion that makes one want to do something; anything that prompts a choice of action.
Noun
Examples
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Something which causes someone to want to commit a crime; a reason for criminal behaviour.
Noun
Examples
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
To prompt or incite by a motive or motives; to move.
Verb
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 4
Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move
Adjective
Examples
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “motive” mean?
An incentive to act in a particular way; a reason or emotion that makes one want to do something; anything that prompts a choice of action.
Is “motive” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.