MOTIF: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for MOTIF?

Need another word that means the same as “motif”? Find 38 synonyms and 30 related words for “motif” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Motif” are: motive, theme, design, pattern, decoration, figure, shape, logo, monogram, device, emblem, ornament, symbol, badge, stamp, trademark, crest, insignia, coat of arms, escutcheon, seal, mark, rune, logotype, logogram, hallmark, tag, motto, token, colophon, ideogram, idea, concept, subject, topic, leitmotif, element, trope

Motif as a Noun

Definitions of "Motif" as a noun

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “motif” as a noun can have the following definitions:

• A design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration.
• A dominant or recurring idea in an artistic work.
• A distinctive sequence on a protein or DNA, having a three-dimensional structure that allows binding interactions to occur.
• A theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music.
• A decorative device applied to a garment or textile.
• A leitmotif or figure.
• A decorative image or design, especially a repeated one forming a pattern.
• A unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work.

Synonyms of "Motif" as a noun (38 Words)

badge	A feature or sign which reveals a particular quality. Wearing a tie was regarded as a badge of respectability.
coat of arms	A thin layer covering something.
colophon	A publisher’s emblem or imprint, usually on the title page of a book.
concept	An abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances. A new concept in corporate hospitality.
crest	The upper line of the neck of a horse or other mammal. Biopsy specimens of the iliac crest were obtained under local anaesthesia.
decoration	The act of decorating something (in the hope of making it more attractive. The lavish decoration of cloth with gilt.
design	A preliminary sketch indicating the plan for something. Good design can help the reader understand complicated information.
device	Any ornamental pattern or design (as in embroidery. The decorative device on the invitations.
element	Each of more than one hundred substances that cannot be chemically interconverted or broken down into simpler substances and are primary constituents of matter Each element is distinguished by its atomic number i e the number of protons in the nuclei of its atoms. In your element.
emblem	A heraldic device or symbolic object as a distinctive badge of a nation, organization, or family. America s national emblem the bald eagle.
escutcheon	A flat piece of metal for protection and often ornamentation, around a keyhole, door handle, or light switch.
figure	One of the elements that collectively form a system of numeration. A heroic figure.
hallmark	A mark on an article of trade to indicate its origin and authenticity. The tiny bubbles are the hallmark of fine champagnes.
idea	(music) melodic subject of a musical composition. The accompanist picked up the idea and elaborated it.
ideogram	A graphic character that indicates the meaning of a thing without indicating the sounds used to say it. Chinese characters are ideograms.
insignia	A badge worn to show official position. The ruins are devoid of moss and ivy the romantic insignia of age and decay.
leitmotif	A melodic phrase that accompanies the reappearance of a person or situation (as in Wagner’s operas. There are two leitmotifs in his score marking the heroine and her Fairy Godmother.
logo	A symbol or other small design adopted by an organization to identify its products, uniform, vehicles, etc. The Olympic logo was emblazoned across the tracksuits.
logogram	A single written symbol that represents an entire word or phrase without indicating its pronunciation. 7 is a logogram that is pronounced seven in English and nanatsu in Japanese.
logotype	A single piece of type that prints a word, a group of separate letters, or a logo.
mark	A marking that consists of lines that cross each other. His arrow hit the mark.
monogram	A motif of two or more interwoven letters, typically a person’s initials, used to identify a personal possession or as a logo. A handkerchief with his monogram embroidered on one corner.
motive	A design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration. He acted with the best of motives.
motto	A phrase which recurs throughout a musical work and has some symbolical significance. They were developing the use of leitmotifs or mottoes that appear throughout an opera.
ornament	A thing used or serving to make something look more attractive but usually having no practical purpose, especially a small object such as a figurine. Tables covered with ornaments and books.
pattern	Graphical representation (in polar or Cartesian coordinates) of the spatial distribution of radiation from an antenna as a function of angle. It is easier to choose carpets from the roll than from a pattern book.
rune	A section of the Kalevala or of an ancient Scandinavian poem. The casting of the runes.
seal	A design resembling a seal embossed in paper as a guarantee of authenticity. For most domestic applications a 75 mm seal is required.
shape	The state of good health especially in the phrases in condition or in shape or out of condition or out of shape. A fiend in human shape.
stamp	An instrument for stamping a pattern or mark in particular an engraved or inked block or die. TV licence stamps.
subject	A person who is subjected to experimental or other observational procedures someone who is an object of investigation. The incident was the subject of international condemnation.
symbol	A shape or sign used to represent something such as an organization, e.g. a red cross or a Star of David. The Red Cross symbol.
tag	A short phrase or clause added to an already complete sentence, as in I like it, I do. You can easily add tags to photos en masse.
theme	(music) melodic subject of a musical composition. A theme song.
token	A voucher that can be exchanged for goods or services, typically one given as a gift or forming part of a promotional offer. A record token.
topic	That part of a sentence about which something is said, typically the first major constituent. He kept drifting off the topic.
trademark	A symbol, word, or words legally registered or established by use as representing a company or product. The murder had all the trademarks of a Mafia hit.
trope	A significant or recurrent theme; a motif. My sense that philosophy has become barren is a recurrent trope of modern philosophy.

Usage Examples of "Motif" as a noun

• In this opera, Verdi used identifying motifs.
• The colourful hand-painted motifs which adorn narrowboats.
• Superstition is a recurring motif in the book.
• Floral or other motifs are then appliquéd to net veils.

Associations of "Motif" (30 Words)

aesthetics	The branch of philosophy dealing with beauty and taste (emphasizing the evaluative criteria that are applied to art. Traditional aesthetics assumed the existence of universal and timeless criteria of artistic value.
algebra	A system of algebra based on given axioms. Courses in algebra geometry and Newtonian physics.
algebraic	Of or relating to algebra. Algebraic geometry.
arithmetic	Relating to or involving arithmetic. The laws of arithmetic.
binary	The binary system of notation. A binary star is a system in which two stars revolve around each other.
calculus	The branch of mathematics that deals with the finding and properties of derivatives and integrals of functions by methods originally based on the summation of infinitesimal differences The two main types are differential calculus and integral calculus. Biliary calculi.
chassis	The skeleton of a motor vehicle consisting of a steel frame supported on springs that holds the body and motor.
decimal	A fraction whose denominator is a power of ten and whose numerator is expressed by figures placed to the right of a decimal point. Write these decimals as vulgar fractions.
denominator	A figure representing the total population in terms of which statistical values are expressed.
design	Create designs. The appearance of design in the universe.
digit	One of the elements that collectively form a system of numeration. 0 and 1 are digits.
equation	A situation in which several factors must be taken into account. The equation of science with objectivity.
equilateral	Having all its sides of the same length. An equilateral triangle.
exponential	(of an increase) becoming more and more rapid. An exponential curve.
figure	The property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals. A clock with a figured mahogany case.
floral	A fabric with a floral design. An unusual floral design.
geometer	A mathematician specializing in geometry.
geometric	A geometric pattern. A geometric pattern.
geometry	A particular system of geometry. The geometry of spiders webs.
hyperbolic	Enlarged beyond truth or reasonableness. A hyperbolic style.
math	Mathematics. She teaches math and science.
mathematics	The abstract science of number quantity and space either as abstract concepts pure mathematics or as applied to other disciplines such as physics and engineering applied mathematics. James immerses himself in the mathematics of baseball.
multiplication	The process or skill of multiplying. These formulae involve a number of multiplications.
multiply	Have young (animals) or reproduce (organisms. He managed to multiply his profits.
number	Place a limit on the number of. Yvonne was wearing a little black number.
numerate	Able to understand and use numbers. Teachers should ensure that their pupils are literate and numerate.
photometer	Measuring instrument for measuring the luminous intensity of a source by comparing it (visually or photoelectrically) with a standard source.
pi	Relating to or denoting an electron or orbital with one unit of angular momentum about an internuclear axis. The π orbital system of the benzene molecule.
theta	The eighth letter of the Greek alphabet (Θ, θ), transliterated as ‘th’. Theta Draconis.
times	An arithmetic operation that is the inverse of division; the product of two numbers is computed. It was a sign of the times.