Word of the Day.

motive   

 

Function: noun [count]

Plural: motives

Meaning:
: a reason for doing something
Examples:
<Their motive in running away was to avoid being punished.>
<I think he's guilty of the crime. He had the motive, the means, and the opportunity.>
<She denied that her offer to help was based on selfish motives.>
<hidden/ulterior motives>
<making decisions based on the profit motive [=the desire to make a profit]>

Note: Motive is often followed by for.
Example:
<No one knows the main/real/underlying motive for his behavior.>


Derived form:
motiveless adjective