Meaning & use
motif
A recurring idea, image, or theme that appears throughout a work of art, literature, or music.
See it in a sentence
The recurring motif of light and shadow runs through the entire novel.
The wallpaper featured a floral motif repeated across the whole room.
A note on using this word
Motif applies to recurring design or artistic elements, while theme more often refers to a work's central underlying idea or message.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “motif”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.