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motley

mot·ley
M m

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [mot-lee]
    • /ˈmɒt li/
    • /ˈmɒt.li/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [mot-lee]
    • /ˈmɒt li/

Definitions of motley word

  • adjective motley exhibiting great diversity of elements: a motley crowd. Synonyms: heterogenous, varied, diverse, mixed, assorted, sundry; incongruous, disparate, diversified, dissimilar, divergent. Antonyms: homogeneous, uniform, identical; similar, like. 1
  • adjective motley being of different colors combined: a motley flower border. Synonyms: parti-colored, multicolored, variegated, polychromatic; pied, piebald, mottled, dappled. Antonyms: monochromatic; solid. 1
  • adjective motley wearing a parti-colored garment: a motley fool. 1
  • noun plural motley a combination of different colors. 1
  • noun plural motley a parti-colored effect. 1
  • noun plural motley the parti-colored garment of a jester. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of motley

First appearance:

before 1350
One of the 20% oldest English words
Middle English word dating back to 1350-1400; See origin at mote1, -ly

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Motley

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

motley popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 83% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

motley usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for motley

adj motley

  • kaleidoscopic — of, relating to, or created by a kaleidoscope.
  • disparate — distinct in kind; essentially different; dissimilar: disparate ideas.
  • conglomerate — A conglomerate is a large business firm consisting of several different companies.
  • rainbow — a bow or arc of prismatic colors appearing in the heavens opposite the sun and caused by the refraction and reflection of the sun's rays in drops of rain. Compare primary rainbow, secondary rainbow.
  • assorted — A group of assorted things is a group of similar things that are of different sizes or colours or have different qualities.

adjective motley

  • diverse — of a different kind, form, character, etc.; unlike: a wide range of diverse opinions.
  • varied — characterized by or exhibiting variety; various; diverse; diversified: varied backgrounds.
  • contrasting — to compare in order to show unlikeness or differences; note the opposite natures, purposes, etc., of: Contrast the political rights of Romans and Greeks.
  • mingled — Simple past tense and past participle of mingle.
  • multicoloured — Alternative spelling of multicolored.

noun motley

  • soup — a liquid food made by boiling or simmering meat, fish, or vegetables with various added ingredients.
  • mosaic — a picture or decoration made of small, usually colored pieces of inlaid stone, glass, etc.
  • potpourri — a mixture of dried petals of roses or other flowers with spices, kept in a jar for their fragrance.
  • sundries — miscellaneous items
  • combo — A combo is a small group of musicians who play jazz, dance, or popular music.

Antonyms for motley

adj motley

  • homogenous — Biology. corresponding in structure because of a common origin.
  • like — in like manner with; similarly to; in the manner characteristic of: He works like a beaver.
  • similar — having a likeness or resemblance, especially in a general way: two similar houses.
  • single — only one in number; one only; unique; sole: a single example.
  • same — identical with what is about to be or has just been mentioned: This street is the same one we were on yesterday.

Top questions with motley

  • how old is motley crue?
  • what does motley mean?
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See also

Matching words

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