leitmotif

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈlaɪt.məʊˌtiːf/

Definition

A recurring theme, character, or musical phrase associated with a particular person, idea, or situation throughout a work of art.

Examples

• The director used a haunting piano melody as a leitmotif for the protagonist's lost childhood.

• In the novel, the recurring image of a withered rose acts as a leitmotif for the family's slow decline.

• The composer masterfully wove the hero's leitmotif into the final orchestral movement.

Synonyms of leitmotif

Words with a similar meaning to leitmotif:

• theme
• motif
• signature

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