# mote

/ˈmoʊt/ (US) · /mˈəʊt/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mote
Updated: 2026-10-16

## Definition

a very tiny piece of dust or dirt that floats in the air.

For teachers: a minute particle of dust or other matter, especially one seen floating in a beam of light. Often used to emphasize extreme smallness or insignificance.

## Examples

- A single mote floats in the sunlight.
- She watches a mote of dust drift through the beam of light from the window.
- Even a mote in the eye can blur vision, reminding us how small irritants sometimes cause the greatest discomfort.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.