motif

American  

[moh-teef] / moʊˈtif /

noun

motifs plural

1. a recurring subject, theme, idea, etc., especially in a literary, artistic, or musical work.

2. a distinctive and recurring form, shape, figure, etc., in a design, as in a painting or on wallpaper.

3. a dominant idea or feature.

   Pulmonary problems were a grim motif in his life.

4. Biochemistry. a distinct pattern of amino acids in a function-specific protein sequence.

   No polyproline motif has been observed in these yeast proteins.

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motif British  

/ məʊˈtiːf /

noun

1. a distinctive idea, esp a theme elaborated on in a piece of music, literature, etc

2. Also: motive.  a recurring form or shape in a design or pattern

3. a single added piece of decoration, such as a symbol or name on a jumper, sweatshirt, etc

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motif Cultural  

1. In literature, art, or music, a recurring set of words, shapes, colors, or notes. In the poem “The Raven,” by Edgar Allan Poe, for example, the word nevermore is a motif appearing at the end of each stanza. Likewise, the first four notes of the Fifth Symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven are a motif that is developed and reshaped throughout the work.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• motifs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of motif

First recorded in 1840–50; from French; see origin at motive

Explanation

The race car decor in your room, the refrain of a song, the idea or object that keeps popping up in a story — these are all motifs, reoccurring elements that move throughout and shape music, art and novels. This French import is related to the Latin verb movere which means "to move." Think about a pattern or design that moves throughout something when you hear motif. Have you ever been to a restaurant with a tropical or Wild West motif? Do you like dresses with a floral motif? In novels, a motif can be a recurring idea like revenge or an object that symbolizes an idea. A character might notice shadows throughout a story which symbolize his dark past.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

motif motifs

A.I. has been a key motif of Leo’s nascent papacy, from early speeches to advisory groups to the reception of tech execs who’ve approached the holy man on their own.

From Slate ● May 28, 2026

Ever since, skin bones have remained a recurring motif in evolution.

From Science Daily ● May 21, 2026

What remains today of the banking business has coalesced around two banks that share the family’s five arrows motif.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 30, 2026

This shirt goes deep, with an Aztec-inspired motif.

From BBC ● Apr. 22, 2026

To help the creative process, you might give students a short, simple rhythm to work with to create the motif.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

British architect Edwin Lutyens was credited with blending European styles and Indian architectural motifs in the new imperial capital, which was inaugurated in 1931.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

The Flight had permission to use classic movie motifs, including John Barry's theme from On Her Majesty's Secret Service, anchoring the game in a pre-established universe.

From BBC ● Jun. 13, 2026

He specialized in ancient gems with figures carved in them—gods, portraits, motifs, etc.—often used as seal stones when sending letters.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026

The palace, known for blending 19th-century Persian arts and architecture with European styles and motifs, is among at least five UNESCO-listed sites damaged during the conflict.

From Barron's ● May 10, 2026

On the rickety, old-fashioned stained- glass door, with its motifs of exotic birds, there was a bronze knocker in the shape of a woman’s hand pressing on a ball.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

Related Words

• concept
• logo
• pattern