HomeServicesBlogDictionariesContactSpanish Course
← Back to search

Meaning of ulterior motive | Babel Free

Noun CEFR B2

Definitions

An alternative or extrinsic reason for doing something, especially when concealed or when differing from the stated or apparent reason.

Equivalents

Examples

“There lurks no bribe in the smell and beauty of the flower. Its charm has no ulterior motive.”
“The poet is a man without a profit or any other kind of ulterior motive.”
“I have an ulterior motive, of course. I want a progress report on the catalog. You've been so mysterious about the whole thing, people are starting to talk.”

CEFR level

B2
Upper Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.

See also

Learn this word in context

See ulterior motive used in real conversations inside our free language course.

Start Free Course