Meanings
nounmotif (plural motifs)
plural motifs
- chemistryThe physical object or objects repeated at each point of a lattice. Usually atoms or molecules.
- board gamesA basic element of a move in terms of why the piece moves and how it supports the fulfilment of a stipulation.
- biochemistryIn a nucleotide or aminoacid sequence, pattern that is widespread and has, or is conjectured to have, a biological significance.
Synonyms & antonyms
nouna design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration
Similar
nouna theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music
Similar
Broader
nouna unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work
Similar
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
Translations
Bulgarian моти́в, моти́в
- моти́в (motív)recurring or dominant element; a theme
- моти́в (motív)music: short melodic passage that is repeated in several parts of a work
Catalan motiu, motiu
- motiurecurring or dominant element; a theme
- motiumusic: short melodic passage that is repeated in several parts of a work
Czech motiv
- motivrecurring or dominant element; a theme
Dutch motief
- motiefrecurring or dominant element; a theme
Finnish aihe, motiivi
- aiherecurring or dominant element; a theme
- motiivimusic: short melodic passage that is repeated in several parts of a work
- aihiomusic: short melodic passage that is repeated in several parts of a work
- aihedecorative figure that is repeated in a design
- kuviodecorative figure that is repeated in a design
French motif, motif
- motifrecurring or dominant element; a theme
- motifmusic: short melodic passage that is repeated in several parts of a work
- motifdecorative figure that is repeated in a design
- motifnucleotide or amino-acid sequence pattern
German Motiv, Motiv
- Motivrecurring or dominant element; a theme
- Motivmusic: short melodic passage that is repeated in several parts of a work
- Motivdecorative figure that is repeated in a design
Greek μοτίβο, μοτίβο
- μοτίβο (motívo)recurring or dominant element; a theme
- μοτίβο (motívo)music: short melodic passage that is repeated in several parts of a work
- μοτίβο (motívo)decorative figure that is repeated in a design
Hebrew מוֹטִיב
- מוֹטִיב (motív)recurring or dominant element; a theme
Hungarian motívum, motívum
- motívumrecurring or dominant element; a theme
- motívummusic: short melodic passage that is repeated in several parts of a work
Italian motivo
- motivonucleotide or amino-acid sequence pattern
Japanese 主題, モチーフ
- 主題 (shudai)recurring or dominant element; a theme
- モチーフ (mochīfu)recurring or dominant element; a theme
- 主題 (shudai)music: short melodic passage that is repeated in several parts of a work
- モチーフ (mochīfu)music: short melodic passage that is repeated in several parts of a work
- モチーフ (mochīfu)decorative figure that is repeated in a design
Māori rerenga auau
- rerenga auaumusic: short melodic passage that is repeated in several parts of a work
Polish motyw
- motywrecurring or dominant element; a theme
Portuguese motivo, leitmotiv
- motivorecurring or dominant element; a theme
- leitmotivrecurring or dominant element; a theme
- motivomusic: short melodic passage that is repeated in several parts of a work
- motivodecorative figure that is repeated in a design
- motivonucleotide or amino-acid sequence pattern
Russian моти́в, моти́в
- моти́в (motív)recurring or dominant element; a theme
- моти́в (motív)music: short melodic passage that is repeated in several parts of a work
- моти́в (motív)decorative figure that is repeated in a design
Scottish Gaelic ùrlar
- ùrlarrecurring or dominant element; a theme
Spanish motivo, motivo
- motivorecurring or dominant element; a theme
- motivomusic: short melodic passage that is repeated in several parts of a work
- motivonucleotide or amino-acid sequence pattern
Swedish motiv, motiv
- motivrecurring or dominant element; a theme
- motivdecorative figure that is repeated in a design
Turkish motif, motif
- motifmusic: short melodic passage that is repeated in several parts of a work
- motifdecorative figure that is repeated in a design
- örgedecorative figure that is repeated in a design
Rhymes & wordplay
Rhymes with motif
briefreliefbeliefbeefreefgriefthiefserifTenerifesifmassifsheafkifdebrieflieffiefkiefautumn leafdisleafenfeofffeoffin chiefmaladifmeef
All rhymes →Cite this entry
APA
motif. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/motif
MLA
“motif.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/motif. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “motif,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/motif.
Source: motif on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.