In works of art, a motif is an important and noticeable element or feature that typically appears throughout the work. It can relate to the theme, or it can be the dominant or central idea itself.

A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of related symbols, help develop the central themes of a book or play.

Motif definition: a recurring subject, theme, idea, etc., especially in a literary, artistic, or musical work.. See examples of MOTIF used in a sentence.

A motif is also an idea that appears repeatedly in the work of an artist or in a piece of writing or music.

A harmonic motif is a series of chords defined in the abstract, that is, without reference to melody or rhythm. A melodic motif is a melodic formula, established without reference to intervals. A …

A motif is a theme or idea that is frequently repeated throughout a piece of literature or music. Shipwrecks are a recurring motif in her writings.

Motif and theme are linked in a literary work, but there is a difference between them. In a literary piece, a motif is a recurrent image, idea, or symbol that develops or explains a theme, while a …

Definition of motif noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Jul 16, 2025 · Discover what a motif is in literature and speech with examples. Learn how recurring themes enhance texts and apply them effectively in your writing.

What Is the Definition of a Motif? Originating from the French word for “motive,” “pattern,” and “figure,” a motif is a recurring idea, meaning, or concept within a composition.