motive meaning and definition

MOTIVE noun

Definition of motive (noun)

1. 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"
   • synonyms: motivation, need
2. a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music
   • synonyms: motif
3. a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration
   • synonyms: motif

MOTIVE adjective

Definition of motive (adjective)

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