# motto

/ˈmɑtoʊ/ (US) · /mˈɒtəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/motto
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. guiding principle

noun · CEFR B2

a short phrase that explains your goals or how you choose to live.

For teachers: a maxim or short expression of a guiding principle or belief system.

- The school's motto is 'Learning for Life', and it appears on every uniform.
- The family lived by the motto that hard work eventually rewards the patient, a philosophy that guided their business decisions for generations.

### 2. heraldry

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a word or phrase shown on a family shield or coat of arms.

For teachers: a word or phrase forming part of an heraldic achievement, typically positioned on a scroll below the shield.

- The knight's motto was carved in Latin at the bottom of the stone shield.
- In traditional heraldry, the motto often alludes to a specific historical event or a virtuous trait associated with the family lineage.

Usage: Often appears in Latin in historical contexts.

## Examples

- My personal motto is 'never give up'.
- The school's motto is printed on every student's uniform to remind them of the value of hard work.
- While many corporate entities adopt a catchy motto for marketing purposes, the most enduring ones reflect a genuine commitment to a specific set of ethical principles.

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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.