motif crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Stuck on 'motif crossword clue'? You're in the right place! Find all possible answers, clear explanations, and expert tips to complete your puzzle with ease.
Solutions for "motif crossword clue" by Letter Count
5 Letters
THEME: A recurring idea or element in a work of art, literature, or music.
IMAGE: A representation of the external form of a person or thing in art; a mental picture.
6 Letters
DESIGN: A plan or drawing produced to show the look and function or workings of something before it is made. Can also refer to a recurring decorative pattern.
FIGURE: A distinctive bodily shape or a number or symbol. In art, a human or animal form.
7 Letters
PATTERN: A repeated decorative design or a regular and comprehensible form or sequence.
SUBJECT: The person or thing that is being discussed, described, or dealt with.
More About "motif crossword clue"
The word "motif" is a versatile and frequently encountered term in crosswords due to its rich array of synonyms and applications across various fields. It broadly refers to a dominant or recurring idea, design, or feature. In the arts, a motif is a distinctive and often repeated element, whether it's a visual pattern, a melodic fragment in music, or a symbolic theme in literature.
Crossword setters often leverage "motif" because it can point to answers spanning different domains. For instance, depending on the context of the puzzle, "motif" might lead you to a word like THEME (a central idea), DESIGN (a recurring pattern), or even SUBJECT (the main topic). This diversity in meaning allows for varied answer lengths and interpretations, challenging solvers to consider the puzzle's specific context or the letters provided by intersecting clues.
When you encounter "motif" in a crossword, it's wise to think broadly about its potential meanings. Could it be a visual design, a core concept, or a recurring symbol? The trick is to combine the clue's general meaning with the number of letters required and any already-solved letters that cross the answer.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Check Letter Count First: Always count the provided blanks for the answer. This immediately narrows down the possibilities for "motif" to answers like THEME (5 letters), DESIGN (6 letters), or PATTERN (7 letters), eliminating words that don't fit the length.
- Consider the Puzzle's Context: Is it a themed puzzle? The "motif" might relate specifically to that theme (e.g., if it's a music-themed puzzle, a less common answer like LEITMOTIF could be hinted at, if the length allows).
- Look for Intersecting Letters: Use letters from already solved clues that cross the "motif" answer. This is often the quickest and most reliable way to confirm or deduce the correct word among several similar options, especially when multiple synonyms have the same letter count.
- Think Synonyms and Related Concepts: Beyond direct synonyms, consider words that represent a recurring element, a dominant feature, or a signature design. Broaden your mental dictionary for terms associated with repetition or defining characteristics.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'motif' typically mean in a crossword context?
In crosswords, 'motif' usually refers to a recurring theme, design, pattern, or a dominant idea. It can also relate to a distinctive feature or a subject.
Why does 'motif' have so many different answer lengths?
'Motif' is a rich word with many synonyms (e.g., THEME, DESIGN, PATTERN, SUBJECT, IMAGE). Each of these synonyms has a different letter count, making 'motif' a flexible clue that can fit various puzzle grids.
How can I narrow down the answer for 'motif'?
The best way is to use the number of letters required for the answer. Then, look at any intersecting letters from already solved clues to confirm the correct word among the options.