# motif

/moʊˈtif/ (US) · /məʊtˈiːf/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/motif
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. artistic theme

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

an idea or subject that appears again and again in a book, film, or painting.

For teachers: a recurring thematic element or central idea that is developed throughout a literary or artistic work.

- The motif of water appears throughout the novel to represent change.
- The author employs the motif of the ticking clock to heighten the sense of impending doom as the protagonist's deadline approaches.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'of' followed by the specific theme.

### 3. music

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a short group of notes that is repeated in a piece of music.

For teachers: a short melodic, rhythmic, or harmonic figure that is repeated or developed throughout a musical composition.

- The composer used a four-note motif to represent the hero's arrival.
- The symphony's opening motif is transformed through various keys and orchestrations, providing a sense of structural unity to the entire work.

### 4. science

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a pattern in a chemical or biological structure that appears many times.

For teachers: a recurring sequence in a macromolecule (such as a protein or DNA) that is associated with a particular biological function.

- Scientists identified a specific motif in the DNA that controls growth.
- The researchers discovered a structural motif within the protein that allows it to bind effectively to the cell membrane.

## Examples

- The composer uses a short flute motif to represent the bird.
- The novel uses the motif of a ticking clock to build a sense of urgency throughout the story.
- In his later symphonies, the composer weaves a subtle rhythmic motif into the brass section to signal the transition between movements.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.