word
French
motif
moh-TEEF
moʊˈtiːfListen
Hear it in a clear American voice. Slow it down to catch each syllable.
Syllable breakdown
motif
Sounds like
Rhymes with 'leaf' not 'waif'.
Dictionary meaning
A recurring element or theme in artistic work.
History and origin
French — 'cause, motive'.
Examples
- The floral motif appeared throughout the designer's entire spring collection.
Common mispronunciations
MOH-tifMOH-teef
People also look up
Hors d’oeuvre
or-DERV
Rendezvous
RON-day-voo
Bourgeois
BOOR-zhwah
Croissant
kruh-SAHNT (UK) / kruh-SAHNT (US)
Learn one new pronunciation a day
Get a word, name or idiom like “motif” in your inbox — daily or weekly, free. Unsubscribe any time.
Something wrong? Suggest a correction