Definitions

1. noun

A recurring musical theme, often associated with a particular character or idea, in an opera or other musical composition.

“The composer wove a leitmotiv throughout the symphony, using it to represent the main character’s journey.”

2. noun

A recurring idea, theme, or image in a literary or artistic work.

“The novel’s author used a leitmotiv of love and loss to explore the complexities of human relationships.”

3. noun

A recurring idea or theme in a person’s thoughts or behavior.

“The psychologist helped her patient identify the leitmotiv of anxiety that underlay her fears and phobias.”