Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Consisting of many different colors: Having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly.
   • Composed of a diverse or incongruous mixture: Consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds of people or things.

2. Noun:

   • A multicolored woolen fabric: A fabric woven of mixed threads, historically worn by court jesters in 14th to 17th century England.
   • A jester's costume: A garment, especially a court jester's costume, made of this multicolored fabric.
   • A varied collection: An assortment containing a variety of different sorts of things.

3. Verb:

   • To make multicolored: To color something with different colors.
   • To diversify: To make something more varied or diverse.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • The parrot had a motley plumage of green, red, and blue.
  • The audience was a motley crew of artists, students, and businesspeople.

• Noun:

  • The jester's motley was bright and eye-catching.
  • The market offered a motley of spices from around the world.

• Verb:

  • The artist mottled the canvas with splashes of paint. (Note: 'Mottled' is a common participial adjective derived from the verb's action).
  • She sought to motley the team's skills by hiring people from various backgrounds.

Advanced Usage

• "Wear the motley": To act as or take on the role of a jester or fool.
  • In his column, he wears the motley, using humor to critique politics.

Variants and Related Words

• Mottled (adj): Marked with spots or smears of color.
  • The mottled surface of the old stone.
• Motley crew (noun phrase): A group of people with very different backgrounds and characteristics.
  • A motley crew of adventurers assembled for the quest.

Synonyms

• Adjective (color): Particolored, variegated, pied, piebald.
• Adjective (mixture): Assorted, miscellaneous, heterogeneous, mixed.
• Noun (collection): Assortment, variety, medley, mélange.

Antonyms

• Adjective (color): Uniform, monochromatic, solid.
• Adjective (mixture): Homogeneous, uniform, alike.

Related Phrases

• A motley assortment: A collection of widely differing items.
  • The box contained a motley assortment of buttons and beads.

Adjective

1. having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly
   • a jester dressed in motley
   • the painted desert
   • a particolored dress
   • a piebald horse
   • pied daisies
2. consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
   • an arrangement of assorted spring flowers
   • assorted sizes
   • miscellaneous accessories
   • a mixed program of baroque and contemporary music
   • a motley crew
   • sundry sciences commonly known as social- I.A.Richards

Noun

1. a multicolored woolen fabric woven of mixed threads in 14th to 17th century England
2. a garment made of motley (especially a court jester's costume)
3. a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
   • a great assortment of cars was on display
   • he had a variety of disorders
   • a veritable smorgasbord of religions

Verb

1. make motley; color with different colors
2. make something more diverse and varied
   • Vary the menu