Definitions for Motif
moʊˈtifmo·tif

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:4.2 / 5 votes

1. motif, motivenoun

   a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration

2. motif, motivenoun

   a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music

3. theme, motifnoun

   a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work

   "it was the usual `boy gets girl' theme"

GCIDERate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. Motifnoun

   In literature and the fine arts, a salient feature or element of a composition or work; esp., the theme, or central or dominant feature; specif. (Music), a motive. See also leitmotif.

2. Motifnoun

   (Dressmaking) A decorative appliqu

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. motifnoun

   A recurring or dominant element; a theme.

   See how the artist repeats the scroll motif throughout the work?

2. motifnoun

   A short melodic passage that is repeated in several parts of a work

3. motifnoun

   A decorative figure that is repeated in a design

4. motifnoun

   The physical object or objects repeated at each point of a lattice. Usually atoms or molecules.

5. Etymology: From French motif (1848), with the meaning of main idea or theme

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. motif

   A motif is a recurring element or theme in a literary, artistic, or musical work that conveys a specific idea or meaning. It can be a particular symbol, image, word, phrase, or pattern that appears regularly throughout the work, contributing to its overall structure and significance. Motifs often serve to reinforce the central message, emphasize certain emotions or themes, and create cohesion within the piece of art.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Motifnoun

   motive

2. Etymology: [F.]

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Motif

   mō-tēf′, n. an old form of motive: a theme or ground for intellectual action, or a leading subject in a dramatic work: in a musical composition the principal subject on which the movement is constructed. [Fr.,—L. motus, moved.]

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. motif

   Song lyrics by motif -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by motif on the Lyrics.com website.

Matched Categories

1. • Design
   • Idea
   • Theme

British National Corpus

1. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'Motif' in Nouns Frequency: #2608

How to pronounce Motif?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say Motif in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of Motif in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of Motif in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of Motif in a Sentence

1. Neil Meron:

   It really is celebratory about movies and yet it's kind of cheeky in a way, but yet it has a beautiful musical motif which... we integrate throughout the show as kind of a call-back theme.

2. Waitress Giorgia Ponturo:

   This bar dates back to 1947, it used to be a brothel and gay hotspot, then the owner decided to adopt the phallus motif, which was an ancient Greek symbol of sexual potency and fertility, to reaffirm the virility of Sicilian men. It also brings good luck.

3. Norbert Kaethler:

   The souvenir plays on Marx's criticism of capitalism and of course the 0-euro note fits perfectly with Marx as a motif.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=Motif
2. ^ GCIDE
   https://gcide.gnu.org.ua/?q=Motif
3. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Motif
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Motif
6. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=Motif