leitmotif

or leit·mo·tiv

[ lahyt-moh-teef ]

noun

1. a motif or theme associated throughout a music drama with a particular person, situation, or idea.
2. a unifying or dominant motif; a recurrent theme:

   A leitmotif in science fiction is the evolving relationship between humans and machines.

leitmotif

/ ˈlaɪtməʊˌtiːf /

noun

1. music a recurring short melodic phrase or theme used, esp in Wagnerian music dramas, to suggest a character, thing, etc
2. an often repeated word, phrase, image, or theme in a literary work

leitmotif

1. A frequently recurring bit of melody, usually in opera , associated with a person, thing, or emotion; Leitmotiv is German for “leading theme.” The leitmotif may be heard in the instrumental or the vocal part.

Notes

Recurring themes or subjects in other forms of art or literature are sometimes also called leitmotifs.

Leitmotifs are particularly associated with the operas of Richard Wagner .

Word History and Origins

Origin of leitmotif¹

First recorded in 1875–80; from German: “leading motive”

Word History and Origins

Origin of leitmotif¹

C19: from German leitmotiv leading motif

Example Sentences

The leitmotif of Ukrainian poetry is resilience in the face of oppression.

From Time

That calm patience is a leitmotif that has defined the journey of a woman who has arguably become the most important politician of the 21st century.

From Ozy

A leitmotif on journalism threads through this often-byzantine narrative.

From The Daily Beast

The complexities within that religious order, renowned for its scholars and loyalty to the pope, make for a numbing leitmotif.

From The Daily Beast

The leitmotif of the new vogue in bad parenting is that keeping the marital buzz buzzing trumps the children.

From The Daily Beast

In her direct and genuine nature there is a 'Leitmotif' of pure sweet melody that will enrich the life of its discoverer.

From Project Gutenberg

And the "Wacht am Rhein" seemed to come and go at intervals, like a leitmotif to all their doings.

From Project Gutenberg

Like a leitmotif in a musical composition, this love of Dulwich College recurs again and again in his war letters.

From Project Gutenberg

Here is the leitmotif of the whole fascinating drama of infection and immunity.

From Project Gutenberg

He will come back, murmured Chavvy, in concordance with her leitmotif.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• argument
• line
• matter
• motif
• point
• problem
• question
• stuff
• subject
• text
• thought
• topic