NYT Dictionary
MOTIVE
/ˈmoʊtɪv/NounVerbAdjectiveMO-tivemo-tive · 2 syllablesGrade 6
Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2023
Meaning
An idea or communication that makes one want to act, especially from spiritual sources; a divine prompting.
Etymology
Origin: Middle English
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)owh₁éyeti 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.
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle: