different between motive vs motivated

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?m??t?v/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?mo?t?v/

Noun

motive (plural motives)

1. (obsolete) An idea or communication that makes one want to act, especially from spiritual sources; a divine prompting. [14th-17th c.]
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. [from 15th c.]
   • 1947, Malcolm Lowry, Under the Volcano:

     Many of them at first seemed kind to him, but it turned out their motives were not entirely altruistic.

   Synonym: motivation

3. (obsolete, rare) A limb or other bodily organ that can move. [15th-17th c.]
4. (law) Something which causes someone to want to commit a crime; a reason for criminal behaviour. [from 18th c.]
5. (architecture, fine arts) A motif. [from 19th c.]
6. (music) A motif; a theme or subject, especially one that is central to the work or often repeated. [from 19th c.]

Synonyms

• (creative works) motif

Related terms

Translations

Verb

motive (third-person singular simple present motives, present participle motiving, simple past and past participle motived)

1. (transitive) To prompt or incite by a motive or motives; to move.

   Synonym: motivate

Translations

Adjective

motive (not comparable)

1. Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move
   • 1658, Sir Thomas Browne, The Garden of Cyrus, Folio Society 2007, p. 195:

     In the motive parts of animals may be discovered mutuall proportions; not only in those of Quadrupeds, but in the thigh-bone, legge, foot-bone, and claws of Birds.

   Synonym: moving

2. Relating to motion and/or to its cause

   Synonym: motional

Translations

Further reading

• motive in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• motive in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• motive at OneLook Dictionary Search

Anagrams

• evomit, move it

French

Verb

motive

1. first-person singular present indicative of motiver
2. third-person singular present indicative of motiver
3. first-person singular present subjunctive of motiver
4. third-person singular present subjunctive of motiver
5. second-person singular imperative of motiver

Latin

Adjective

m?t?ve

1. vocative masculine singular of m?t?vus

Portuguese

Verb

motive

1. first-person singular (eu) present subjunctive of motivar
2. third-person singular (ele and ela, also used with você and others) present subjunctive of motivar
3. third-person singular (você) affirmative imperative of motivar
4. third-person singular (você) negative imperative of motivar

Romanian

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [mo?tive]

Noun

motive

1. plural of motiv

Serbo-Croatian

Noun

motive (Cyrillic spelling ??????)

1. accusative plural of motiv
2. vocative singular of motiv

Spanish

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /mo?tibe/, [mo?t?i.??e]

Verb

motive

1. Formal second-person singular (usted) imperative form of motivar.
2. First-person singular (yo) present subjunctive form of motivar.
3. Formal second-person singular (usted) present subjunctive form of motivar.
4. Third-person singular (él, ella, also used with usted^?) present subjunctive form of motivar.

English

Verb

motivated

1. simple past tense and past participle of motivate

Adjective

motivated (comparative more motivated, superlative most motivated)

1. Enthusiastic, especially about striving toward a goal.

   We're looking for a highly motivated individual who will fit into our fast-paced corporate culture.

   • 2001, Norman E. Wallen, Jack R. Fraenkel, Educational Research: A Guide to the Process, page 177,

     It seems reasonable to assume that academically able students are more motivated toward academic activities than those less able, and that students from higher socioeconomic levels are more motivated toward school than those from lower socioeconomic levels.

   • 2009, J. Dan Rothwell, In Mixed Company: Communicating in Small Groups and Teams, page 373,

     In every instance, she has expressed enormous frustration with social loafers—virtual group members whose lackluster motivation leaves the bulk of group projects to members who are more motivated to excel.

   • 2010, Leif H. Smith, Todd M. Kays, Sports Psychology for Dummies, page 47,

     As an athlete, you'll feel more motivated when you're confident in your skill set and believe in your ability to continue to improve.

Translations