World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesMotif
/moʊˈtiːf/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
1 sense- 1
A distinctive feature or dominant idea in an artistic or literary composition.
"The recurring water motif symbolizes purity throughout the novel."
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
The word 'motif' originates from the French 'motif', meaning 'motive' or 'theme', which itself comes from the Latin 'motivus', meaning 'moving' or 'causing motion'. The term has evolved in English to refer to a recurring element in artistic or literary works since the late 19th century.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Motif"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Motif" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
motif
Transliteration: motif
"Ce tableau présente un motif floral délicat."
Motiv
Transliteration: Motiv
"Das zentrale Motiv des Romans ist die Suche nach Identität."
motivo
Transliteration: motivo
"Il motivo geometrico decora l'intera parete."
motivo
Transliteration: motivo
"El motivo principal de la obra es la libertad."
motivo
Transliteration: motivo
"O artista usou um motivo tradicional na tapeçaria."
प्रसंग
Transliteration: prasang
"इस कविता में प्रकृति का प्रसंग बार-बार आता है।"
主题
Transliteration: zhǔtí
"孤独是这部电影的核心主题。"
모티프
Transliteration: motipeu
"그 소설은 전통 설화를 모티프 삼아 쓰여졌다."
モチーフ
Transliteration: mochifu
"この絵画は自然をモチーフにしています。"
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