# motive

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈməʊtɪv/ · frequency rank #7,817

## Definitions
1. An idea or communication that makes one want to act, especially from spiritual sources; a divine prompting.
2. 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.
3. A limb or other bodily organ that can move.
4. Something which causes someone to want to commit a crime; a reason for criminal behaviour.
5. Alternative form of motif.
6. A party, gathering, or get-together.
7. One's plans for the day or night.

## Etymology
From Middle English motif, from Anglo-Norman motif, Middle French motif, and their source, Late Latin motivum (“motive, moving cause”), neuter of motivus.

## Easily confused with
- **move** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/motive-vs-move)
- **movie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/motive-vs-movie)
- **motives** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/motive-vs-motives)
- **mote** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mote-vs-motive)
- **motif** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/motif-vs-motive)
- **mobile** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mobile-vs-motive)
- **motion** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/motion-vs-motive)
- **Mojave** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mojave-vs-motive)
- **moline** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/moline-vs-motive)
- **motivate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/motivate-vs-motive)

## Common misspellings (8)
`mmotive`, `moitve`, `motiev`, `motivve`, `mottive`, `motvie`, `mtoive`, `omtive`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/motive