adj

motley

MOT-lee

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."

"The band was a motley assortment of retired musicians and teenagers."

noun

The multicoloured clothing traditionally worn by a jester.

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

How to Use Motley

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA mixed, varied group or pattern, often used for an odd assortment of people or things.

Common pairings

motley crew motley collection motley assortment

Word Forms

more motley comparative, motlier comparative, motleyer comparative, motleyed past tense, motleys plural, Motleys plural, motleys singular, most motley superlative, motliest superlative, motleyest superlative

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A _____ crew of volunteers showed up to help clean the beach.

Etymology

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

Rhymes for motley

ey key hey bey dey ley fey ney Rey grey they joey

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