motley

12 synonyms and 3 antonyms for motley, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — Made up of a wildly varied, often mismatched, mix of elements or people.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

variety

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

mixture assortment assorted miscellaneous

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

potpourri smorgasbord mixed bag miscellany salmagundi miscellanea calico

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adj

Made up of a wildly varied, often mismatched, mix of elements or people.

“A motley crew of volunteers showed up to help clean the beach.”

mixture assortment potpourri smorgasbord variety mixed bag miscellany salmagundi miscellanea assorted calico miscellaneous

Opposites

homogeneous uniform alike

2. noun

The multicoloured clothing traditionally worn by a jester.

“The court fool appeared in his motley, ready to entertain the king.”

miscellany potpourri smorgasbord variety assortment miscellanea mixture salmagundi

How to use motley

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

motley crew motley collection motley assortment

Etymology

From Middle English motle, related to Old English mot ("speck") — the same root that gives us mottle.

Full origin of motley →

Frequently asked questions

What does “motley” mean?

The word “motley” means made up of a wildly varied, often mismatched, mix of elements or people. In plain terms, a mixed, varied group or pattern, often used for an odd assortment of people or things.

How do you pronounce “motley”?

“Motley” is pronounced MOT-lee (/ˈmɑtli/ in IPA).

How do you use “motley” in a sentence?

Here is “motley” used in a sentence: “A motley crew of volunteers showed up to help clean the beach.”

What part of speech is “motley”?

Depending on how it is used, “motley” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “motley” come from?

The word “motley” comes from Old English. From Middle English motle, related to Old English mot ("speck") — the same root that gives us mottle.

How many meanings does “motley” have?

“Motley” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: made up of a wildly varied, often mismatched, mix of elements or people.

Related words

mottled

People also searched

variety uniform mixture alike miscellaneous assortment homogeneous assorted miscellany salmagundi miscellanea smorgasbord

Nearby words

← Back to the full definition of motley