# motley

/ˈmɑtɫi/ (US) · /mˈɒtli/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/motley
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

made up of many different people or things that do not seem to belong together. It often describes a group that looks messy or disorganized.

For teachers: consisting of a diverse and often incongruous mixture of elements. Frequently used to describe a group of people who lack a common style, background, or purpose.

## Examples

- The team was a motley crew of students and retirees.
- The protest attracted a motley collection of activists, each carrying signs for completely different causes.
- The library's shelves held a motley assortment of leather-bound classics and cheap modern paperbacks, reflecting the eccentric tastes of its previous owner.

## Usage notes

- Commonly appears in the fixed phrase 'motley crew'. Often used attributively before a noun to emphasize a lack of uniformity.

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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.