Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [moh-tiv]
- /ˈmoʊ tɪv/
- /ˈməʊ.tɪv/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [moh-tiv]
- /ˈmoʊ tɪv/
Definitions of motive word
- noun motive something that causes a person to act in a certain way, do a certain thing, etc.; incentive. 1
- noun motive the goal or object of a person's actions: Her motive was revenge. 1
- noun motive (in art, literature, and music) a motif. 1
- adjective motive causing, or tending to cause, motion. 1
- adjective motive pertaining to motion. 1
- adjective motive prompting to action. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of motive
First appearance:
before 1325 One of the 16% oldest English words
1325-75; (adj.) Middle English (< Middle French motif) < Medieval Latin mōtīvus serving to move, equivalent to Latin mōt(us) (past participle of movēre to move) + -īvus -ive; (noun) Middle English (< Middle French motif) < Medieval Latin mōtīvum, noun use of neuter of mōtīvus
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Motive
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
motive popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 93% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
motive usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for motive
noun motive
- motivation — the act or an instance of motivating, or providing with a reason to act in a certain way: I don't understand what her motivation was for quitting her job. Synonyms: motive, inspiration, inducement, cause, impetus.
- impulse — the influence of a particular feeling, mental state, etc.: to act under a generous impulse; to strike out at someone from an angry impulse.
- influence — the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others: He used family influence to get the contract.
- idea — any conception existing in the mind as a result of mental understanding, awareness, or activity.
- aim — If you aim for something or aim to do something, you plan or hope to achieve it.
adjective motive
- kinetic — pertaining to motion.
Antonyms for motive
noun motive
- thoughtlessness — lacking in consideration for others; inconsiderate; tactless: a thoughtless remark.
- hindrance — an impeding, stopping, preventing, or the like.
- deterrent — A deterrent is something that prevents people from doing something by making them afraid of what will happen to them if they do it.
- neglect — to pay no attention or too little attention to; disregard or slight: The public neglected his genius for many years.
- discouragement — an act or instance of discouraging.
Top questions with motive
- what does motive mean?
- what is the proton motive force?
- what is the main motive behind dealer incentives?
- what is one effect of the profit motive?
- where is motive filmed?
- what does ulterior motive mean?
- what is profit motive?
- how was extreme nationalism a motive for the holocaust?
- what is motive?
- what is a motive?
- which of the following does not describe a musical motive?
- what is a motive in music?
- which of the following best describes a musical motive?
- what is the profit motive?
- which of the following best explains the profit motive?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with m
- Words starting with mo
- Words starting with mot
- Words starting with moti
- Words starting with motiv
- Words starting with motive