What is the difference between conjunct motion and disjunct motion in a melody?

In musical composition, the terms conjunct and disjunct describe the way a melody moves between successive pitches, which helps define the overall contour of the musical line.1

• Conjunct motion refers to a melody that moves primarily by steps, meaning the notes are close together in pitch.1
• Disjunct motion refers to a melody that utilizes leaps, moving between notes that are further apart in pitch.1

These two types of motion are not mutually exclusive; a single melodic line often combines both to create its unique shape and expressive character. For example, a melody might feature a dramatic leap (disjunct) followed by a gradual descent through adjacent notes (conjunct).1