motif

noun
UK: /məʊˈtiːf/
US: /moʊˈtiːf/

  1. A recurring subject, idea, or theme in a work of art, literature, or music.

    1. The heart motif appeared many times.
    2. The forest motif is central to understanding the poem's deeper meaning.

  2. A decorative design or pattern.

    1. The wall had a flower motif.
    2. The artist repeated the geometric motif throughout the entire room.

Synonyms

design figure pattern device theme

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "motif" in English means: A recurring subject, idea, or theme in a work of art, literature, or music., A decorative design or pattern..

The phonetic transcription of "motif" is /məʊˈtiːf/ in British English and /moʊˈtiːf/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "motif": design, figure, pattern, device, theme.

Example usage of "motif": "The heart motif appeared many times.". More examples on the page.