adjective / noun
motley
MAHT-lee/ˈmɑːtli/
A varied, mismatched mixture or the quality of being such a mixture.
The chairs form a motley assortment of styles, materials, and colors.
Etymology
Motteley described fabric of contrasting colors, especially the clothing of a fool. That visible mixture provides the image for a collection of varied or mismatched kinds.
In context
He travels with a motley crew whose ethnic syncretism reflects the migratory history of the region.
More examples
- Her apartment contains a motley collection of secondhand furniture.
- Our motley crew includes teachers, mechanics, and retired nurses.
- The display is a motley of old tools and souvenirs.
Forms
motley · motleys
Similar words
- diverse
- Emphasizes variety without suggesting that the elements clash.
- mismatched
- Emphasizes a poor fit between elements rather than their variety.
- heterogeneous
- More formally describes a mixture of different kinds.