HomeServicesBlogDictionariesContactSpanish Course
Back to search

Motif

Noun CEFR B1
moʊˈtiːf

Definitions

  1. A recurring or dominant element; an artistic theme.
  2. A short melodic or lyrical passage that is repeated in several parts of a work.
  3. A decorative figure that is repeated in a design or pattern.
  4. A decorative appliqué design or figure, as of lace or velvet, used in trimming.
  5. The physical object or objects repeated at each point of a lattice. Usually atoms or molecules.
  6. A basic element of a move in terms of why the piece moves and how it supports the fulfilment of a stipulation.
  7. In a nucleotide or aminoacid sequence, pattern that is widespread and has, or is conjectured to have, a biological significance.

Equivalents

Españolmotivo
Françaismotif
DeutschMotiv
24 more languages
العربيةالموضوع
Catalàmotiu
Češtinamotiv
Ελληνικάμοτίβο
Gàidhligùrlar
Galegomotivo
हिन्दीअलंकरण
Magyarmotívum
Bahasa Indonesiacorakmotif
Italianomotivo
Nederlandsmotief
Polskimotyw
Portuguêsleitmotivmotivo
Русскиймоти́в
Српскиmotivмотив
Svenskamotiv
TürkçemotifÖrge
Українськамотивузір
Tiếng Việtmô-típ

Examples

See how the artist repeats the scroll motif throughout the work?”

CEFR level

B1
Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B1 vocabulary — intermediate level.
See all B1 English words →

See also

Learn this word in context

See Motif used in real conversations inside our free language course.

Start Free Course

Know this word better than we do? Language is a living thing — help us keep it growing. Collaborate with Babel Free