Search
Select the dictionary language
Motley
01
a multicolored woolen fabric made by weaving threads of different colors, used in 14th–17th century England
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Inanimate
Composition
Simple
Countable
Plural form
motleys
Examples
The merchant displayed bolts of motley at the market.
02
a garment made of multicolored fabric, traditionally worn by court jesters or performers
Examples
The jester's motley jingled with tiny bells as he bowed.
03
a collection composed of a diverse or heterogeneous assortment of items
Examples
The meeting brought together a motley of artists, engineers, and scholars.
to motley
01
to make something multicolored
Grammatical Information
Composition
derived
Action verb
Regular
Present tense
motley
3rd person singular
motleys
Present participle
motleying
Past simple
motleyed
Past participle
motleyed
Examples
The artist motleyed the canvas with splashes of red and blue.
02
to make something more diverse or varied in kind or character
Examples
The director motleyed the cast to reflect a broader range of experiences.
motley
01
having parts or patches of different, often bright, colors
Grammatical Information
Composition
Simple
qualitative
Superlative
mottliest
Comparative
mottlier
gradable
Examples
A motley quilt of fabric scraps covered the bed.
02
made up of a varied, often incongruous mixture of elements or types
Examples
The team was a motley group of amateurs and professionals.
