How to pronounce motif
Say it like moh-TEEF. Motif has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEEF).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce motif. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- moh
- TEEF
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Motif pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- mohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- TEEFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of motif
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: moh-TEEF.
What does motif mean?
- A recurring or dominant element; an artistic theme.“See how the artist repeats the scroll motif throughout the work?”
- A short melodic or lyrical passage that is repeated in several parts of a work.
- A decorative figure that is repeated in a design or pattern.
Where does motif come from?
From French motif (1848), with the meaning of "main idea or theme".
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with motif
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of motif.
Questions about saying motif
How do you pronounce motif?
Say moh-TEEF. The American pronunciation is /moʊˈtif/. In British English it is /məʊˈtiːf/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in motif?
Motif has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEEF). Broken into parts: moh · TEEF.
Is motif pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /məʊˈtiːf/ (moh-TEEF).