motif

[US]/məʊˈtiːf/
[UK]/moʊˈtiːf/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

n. theme; motive; design; subject; idea.

Example Sentences

a scarf with a heart motif;

the prison motif in Little Dorrit.

the symbolic meaning of motifs and designs.

Alienation is a central motif in her novels.

The jacket has a rose motif on the collar.

the floral motifs are appliquéd to christening robes.

the colourful hand-painted motifs which adorn narrowboats.

Chinese, Mayan, or Greek motifs;or Cubistic blocks;

A decorative style in chamber fluid, biomorphic mills border swirling motifs brief emphcalmcattemptestd.

Fowles has masterly manipulated the metafictional techniques to enunciate the motif of the novel-freedom.

RNA 2: Clustering by Gene or Condition and Other Regulon Data Sources Nucleic Acid Motifs; The Nature of Biological "proofs."

Patterns with fruit motifs and gingham checks are popular designs for spring and summer, and the houndstooth pattern and tartan checks are often seen in fall and winter.

The shape is entirely within the bounds of late baroque taste, and no important asymmetrical motifs are evident in the elaborate scrollwork except in a decorative cartouche on the top.

These unique pantyhose are extremely attractive and fashion and have the added incentive of a delicate floral motif decorating legs. Sheer, micronet legs with greater durability.

Real-world Examples

The designer balance is two very different motifs and brand histories.

Source: Idol speaks English fluently.

Fish, whether realistic or abstract, became a major motif in Frank Gehry's work.

Source: What it takes: Celebrity Interviews

And they found that certain song motifs could date back hundreds, even thousands of years.

Source: Science in 60 Seconds December 2018 Collection

This medieval motif goes beyond just the government.

Source: TED-Ed (video version)

There's not even a proper motif, as far as Ove can see, just a lot of patterns.

Source: A man named Ove decides to die.

The motifs on earlier examples drawn from apparently mythological sources.

Source: If national treasures could speak.

The round motifs symbolize the reunion and wholeness of families.

Source: Selected English short passages

I mean, there were characters, plot lines, themes, a motif. At one point, there were villagers.

Source: Friends Season 1 (Edited Version)

It's these motifs that they use specifically, it's like into triangles.

Source: VOA Standard English_Americas

Its motif was egg-shell blue with furnishing materials of dark blue and white.

Source: 007 Series: Diamonds Are Forever (Part 2)

Popular Words

Explore frequently searched vocabulary

Download App to Unlock Full Content

Want to learn vocabulary more efficiently? Download the DictoGo app and enjoy more vocabulary memorization and review features!

Download DictoGo Now