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motif

mo·tif
M m

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [moh-teef]
    • /moʊˈtif/
    • /məʊˈtiːf/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [moh-teef]
    • /moʊˈtif/

Definitions of motif word

  • noun motif a recurring subject, theme, idea, etc., especially in a literary, artistic, or musical work. 1
  • noun motif a distinctive and recurring form, shape, figure, etc., in a design, as in a painting or on wallpaper. 1
  • noun motif a dominant idea or feature: the profit motif of free enterprise. 1
  • noun motif A decorative design or pattern. 1
  • noun motif design: repeated pattern 1
  • noun motif music: recurring theme 1

Information block about the term

Origin of motif

First appearance:

before 1840
One of the 33% newest English words
From French, dating back to 1840-50; See origin at motive

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Motif

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

motif popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 90% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

motif usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for motif

noun motif

  • pattern — a distinctive style, model, or form: a new pattern of army helmet.
  • concept — A concept is an idea or abstract principle.
  • logo — Also called logotype. a graphic representation or symbol of a company name, trademark, abbreviation, etc., often uniquely designed for ready recognition.
  • subject — that which forms a basic matter of thought, discussion, investigation, etc.: a subject of conversation.
  • design — When someone designs a garment, building, machine, or other object, they plan it and make a detailed drawing of it from which it can be built or made.

Top questions with motif

  • what is an motif?
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  • how is a motif different from a theme?
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  • what is motif investing?
  • what does motif mean in art?
  • what is the motif of a story?
  • how to knit a motif on a jumper?
  • what is a motif in a story?

See also

Matching words

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