leitmotif

noun

Meaning

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.

Synonyms: theme, motif, signature

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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:

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