motif
motif Lexical Profile
motif Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A distinctive, recurring element, idea, or subject in an artistic, literary, or musical composition.
"The director used the recurring motif of shattered glass to represent the protagonist's fragile state of mind."
A single decorative design or pattern, especially one that forms part of a larger repeating design.
"The antique wallpaper featured a delicate floral motif."
A short, recognizable succession of notes or a rhythmic pattern from which a larger musical piece is developed.
"Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 opens with one of the most famous four-note motifs in classical music."
Word Nuance & Usage
While often confused with 'theme', a motif is a recurring physical element, symbol, or pattern in a work of art or literature that helps to develop or explain the overarching theme.
• Rhymes for motif
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed into English in the mid-19th century from French 'motif', from Medieval Latin 'motivus' (moving, impelling), derived from Latin 'movere' (to move).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.