motley

¹

[ mot-lee ]

adjective

1. exhibiting great diversity of elements:

   a motley crowd.

   Synonyms: divergent, dissimilar, diversified, disparate, incongruous, sundry, assorted, mixed, diverse, varied, heterogenous

   Antonyms: like, similar, identical, uniform, homogeneous

2. being of different colors combined:

   a motley flower border.

   Synonyms: polychromatic, variegated, multicolored, parti-colored, dappled, mottled, piebald, pied

   Antonyms: solid, monochromatic

3. wearing a parti-colored garment:

   a motley fool.

noun

, plural mot·leys.

1. a combination of different colors.
2. a parti-colored effect.
3. the parti-colored garment of a jester.
4. a heterogeneous assemblage.
5. a medley.

   Synonyms: miscellany, jumble, hodgepodge, conglomeration, farrago, gallimaufry, pastiche, potpourri, olio

Motley

²

[ mot-lee ]

noun

1. John Lo·throp [loh, -thr, uh, p], 1814–77, U.S. historian and diplomat.

motley

/ ˈmɒtlɪ /

adjective

1. made up of elements of varying type, quality, etc
2. multicoloured

noun

1. a motley collection or mixture
2. the particoloured attire of a jester
3. obsolete.
   a jester

Word History and Origins

Origin of motley¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English motele, motlay, mottelay “mixture of colors, variegated; a parti-colored garment”; of uncertain origin; perhaps akin to mote ¹. See -ly ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of motley¹

C14: perhaps from mot speck, mote ¹

Example Sentences

It was such a weird, motley crew of people — Jersey Shore-type guys.”

From Los Angeles Times

A motley crew of evacuees fled from a California wildfire last week.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s home to a motley crew of 400 ducks, geese and chickens, including a hybrid goose that belongs to one of the world’s rarest populations of geese, the Hawaiian Nene.

From Los Angeles Times

The drama of “Real Housewives” combined with the betrayals of “Big Brother,” the tests of physical endurance a la “Survivor” and the motley crew of divergent personalities makes for good TV.

From Seattle Times

These works, which measure 36 by 36 inches, are a motley combination of the art historical, Mexican cultural history and the everyday curiosities of pedestrian American culture.

From New York Times

Related Words

• disparate
• kaleidoscopic