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 motif may be repeated in a pattern or design, often many times, or may just occur once in a work. [1] A motif may be an element in the iconography of a particular subject or type of subject that is seen in …

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.

A motif is a recurring element – an image, object, idea, color, sound, or even a specific type of event – that has symbolic significance in a story. It is not the plot itself, nor the main theme, but something …

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

Dec 15, 2025 · Essentially, a motif is a recurring element in a story that points to a larger theme or idea. It can be a word, an image, a sound, or a symbol used to highlight a pattern in your work and build …

MOTIF meaning: 1 : something (such as an important idea or subject) that is repeated throughout a book, story, etc.; 2 : a single or repeated design or pattern