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- Dictionarymotley/ˈmɒtli/
adjective
- 1. incongruously varied in appearance or character; disparate: "a motley crew of discontents and zealots" Similar Opposite
- 2. (of clothing) made up of a variety of colours: archaic "they wore the motley coat of jesters" Similar Opposite
noun
- 1. an incongruous mixture: "a motley of interacting interest groups"
- 2. the multicoloured costume of a jester: historical "life-size mannequins in full motley"
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MOTLEY definition: 1. consisting of many different types that do not appear to go together: 2. consisting of many…. Learn more.
noun. 1. : a woolen fabric of mixed colors made in England between the 14th and 17th centuries. 2. : a garment made of motley. especially : the characteristic dress of the professional fool. 3. : jester, fool. 4. : a mixture especially of incongruous elements.
Motley definition: exhibiting great diversity of elements. See examples of MOTLEY used in a sentence.
Definitions of motley. adjective. consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds. “a motley crew” synonyms: assorted, miscellaneous, mixed, sundry. heterogeneous, heterogenous, hybrid. consisting of elements that are not of the same kind or nature. adjective. having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly.
MOTLEY meaning: 1. consisting of many different types that do not appear to go together: 2. consisting of many…. Learn more.
motley. (mɒtli ) adjective [ADJECTIVE noun] You can describe a group of things as a motley collection if you think they seem strange together because they are all very different. ...a motley collection of vans, old buses, cattle-trucks, and even a fire engine. The volunteers seem a motley crew.
adj. 1. Having elements of great variety or incongruity; heterogeneous: a motley collection of students at the coffee shop. 2. Having many colors; variegated; parti-colored: a motley tunic. n. pl. mot·leys. 1. The parti-colored attire of a court jester. 2. A heterogeneous, often incongruous mixture of elements.
/ˈmɒtli/ /ˈmɑːtli/ (disapproving) consisting of many different types of people or things that do not seem to belong together. She had a motley group of friends at college. The room was filled with a motley collection of furniture and paintings. The audience was a motley crew of students and tourists. Oxford Collocations Dictionary. Word Origin.
15 Jun 2024 · motley (comparative more motley or motlier or motleyer, superlative most motley or motliest or motleyest) Comprising greatly varied elements, to the point of incongruity. Synonyms: heterogeneous, diverse, manifold; see also Thesaurus: heterogeneous
What does the word motley mean? There are 13 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word motley, six of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. motley has developed meanings and uses in subjects including. textiles (Middle English) costume (mid 1500s) medicine (1840s) See meaning & use.
