adj · noun · verb · 13 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
Received-Pronunciation:/ˈməʊtɪv/
General-American:/ˈmoʊtɪv/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with (Received Pronunciation) -əʊtɪv
rhymes with (General American) -oʊtɪv
CMU ARPABET:M OW1 T IH0 V
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: kinetic, motional
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
An idea or communication that makes one want to act, especially from spiritual sources; a divine prompting.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
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.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: motivation, sake
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
A limb or other bodily organ that can move.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete, rare
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
Something which causes someone to want to commit a crime; a reason for criminal behaviour.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: law
Examples
What would his motive be for burning down the cottage?
No-one could understand why she had hidden the shovel; her motives were obscure at best.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
noun
Meaning 7
Alternative form of motif.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: alt-of, alternative
Qualifier: fine arts
Topics: architecture, entertainment, lifestyle, music
Examples
If you listen carefully, you can hear the flutes mimicking the cello motive.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
noun
Meaning 8
A party, gathering, or get-together.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
noun
Meaning 9
One's plans for the day or night.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK
Examples
What's the motive for tonight, lads?
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
10
verb
Meaning 10
To prompt or incite by a motive or motives; to move.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: motivate
Antonyms: none provided
11
noun
Meaning 11
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
a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: motif
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: design, pattern, figure
13
noun
Meaning 13
a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: motif
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: theme, melodic theme, musical theme, idea
Narrower terms: obbligato, obligato
History
Etymology
Etymology tree Anglo-Norman motifder. Middle French motifder. Proto-Indo-European *m(y)ewh1- Proto-Indo-European *-yeti Proto-Indo-European *-éyeti Proto-Indo-European *m(y)owh1éyetider. Proto-Italic *moweō Latin moveō Latin mōtus Proto-Indo-European *-wós Proto-Indo-European *-iHwósder. Latin -īvus Late Latin mōtīvumder. Middle English motif English motive From Middle English motif, from Anglo-Norman motif, Middle French motif, and their source, Late Latin motivum (“motive, moving cause”), neuter of motivus.
Across languages
Translations
109 source translations are retained for this English entry.