First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1motley
adjective mot·ley \ˈmät-lē\
: made up of many different people or things
Full Definition of MOTLEY
1
: variegated in color <a motley coat>
2
: composed of diverse often incongruous elements <a motley crowd>
See motley defined for English-language learners
See motley defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of MOTLEY
Middle English, perhaps from mot mote, speck
Related to MOTLEY
- Synonyms
- assorted, eclectic, heterogeneous, indiscriminate, kitchen-sink, magpie, mixed, miscellaneous, patchwork, piebald, promiscuous, raggle-taggle, ragtag, varied
- Antonyms
- homogeneous
Other Clothing Terms
2motley
noun
Definition of MOTLEY
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
4
: a mixture especially of incongruous elements
Origin of MOTLEY
Middle English, probably from 1motley
First Known Use: 14th century
Motley
biographical name Mot·ley \ˈmät-lē\
Definition of MOTLEY
John Lothrop 1814–1877 Am. hist.
MOTLEY Defined for Kids
motley
adjective mot·ley \ˈmät-lē\
Definition of MOTLEY for Kids
: composed of various often unlike kinds or parts <a motley collection of junk>
Learn More About MOTLEY
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up motley? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).