leitmotif
/ˈlaɪt.məʊˌtiːf/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A recurring theme, idea, image, or tune in a piece of music, a story, or another work. It helps the audience notice an important connection.
- That violin line is the opera's leitmotif.
- The movie uses rain as a leitmotif.
- Freedom is a leitmotif in her poems.
Adinary Nuance
A leitmotif is more specific than a theme. A theme is the main idea of a work, while a leitmotif is a repeating element that points to that idea. Writers use it for a sound, image, phrase, or symbol that keeps coming back.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- mô-típ
- Spanish
- leitmotiv
- Chinese
- 主导动机
- Japanese
- ライトモティーフ
- Korean
- 라이트모티프
Etymology
The word comes from German, where Leitmotiv means “leading motif.” English began using it in the late 1800s, first in music and later in literature and film.
Common phrases
musical leitmotifrecurring leitmotifa central leitmotifuse as a leitmotif
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is leitmotif the same as theme?
- Not exactly. A theme is the main idea, while a leitmotif is a repeated sign of that idea.
- Is leitmotif used only in music?
- No. People also use it in literature, film, and art.
- Is leitmotif a formal word?
- Yes, it is fairly formal. It is common in academic writing and criticism.
- Can I use leitmotif for a repeated image?
- Yes. It can describe a repeated image, sound, phrase, or idea.