TOP

Definition of motif noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

motif

noun
 
/məʊˈtiːf/
 
/məʊˈtiːf/
jump to other results
  1. a design or a pattern used as a decoration
    • wallpaper with a flower motif
    Extra Examples
    • The jacket has a rose motif on the collar.
    • The rug was decorated with a simple flower motif.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • central
    • dominant
    • recurring
    verb + motif
    • be decorated with
    • have
    See full entry
  2. a subject, an idea or a phrase that is repeated and developed in a work of literature or a piece of music
    • Alienation is a central motif in her novels.
    see also leitmotif synonym themeTopics Literature and writingc2, Musicc2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • central
    • dominant
    • recurring
    verb + motif
    • be decorated with
    • have
    See full entry
  3. Word Originmid 19th cent.: from French.
See motif in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee motif in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
trait
noun
 
 
From the Word list
Oxford 5000
B2
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day