motley
2
8.2
- noun
- /ˈmɑtli/
:
mezcolanza
- So, since I had no friends, I assembled a motley crew of the friendless to help me construct my social network.
Examples
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Oh, Amber, look at this motley crew.
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Look at this motley crew.
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I got to know this motley crew quite well.
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We were living in Toronto and the motley crew were coming to town at the time.
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Now that, my friends, is one motley-looking crew.
Blog text (33) -
They stopped, looking at this motley group, maybe trying to decide what to do.
Fiction book (1997) -
They are a motley crew, all armed with swords and daggers.
Fiction book (1990) -
There were other kids, too, and although every fall we were buttoned and scarfed and sent to separate schools, every summer we reassembled our motley group, various in height, age, and wit.
Fiction book (1995) -
THEY'RE A MOTLEY-LOOKING GROUP, BELL, BUT THEY DO THE IMPOSSIBLE.
-
At the party, I noticed a motley group of people, each from a different background and culture.
Synonyms
582
1.3
A group of different kinds of things
125
1.6
Different things put together, for example foods or ingredients
36
3.5
A collection of different things, like books or food
17
3.7
A group of things, people, or results with both good and bad parts
11
7.0
A wide variety of things to choose from
7
6.4
A confused mix of different things
7
7.2
A varied collection of different things and styles
1
8.2
A mixture of different things, often very varied and unexpected
1
7.9
A group of different small things like papers or photos
1
9.9
A mixed collection of different things
A confused mix of different things like old toys and books
A collection of different pieces of writing or small items
A collection of different things chosen without planning
Compounds
How Varied
Surface Forms
Etymology
Motley comes from the old root mot meaning 'a small spot', like the word mottled. A 'motley' of things is like patchwork cloth—different pieces put together—so the word now means a mixed collection of different kinds.