How to pronounce motley
Say it like MOT-lee. Motley has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MOT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce motley. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MOT
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Motley pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MOTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of motley
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: MOT-lee.
What does motley mean?
- An incongruous mixture.
- A jester's multicoloured clothes.
- A jester; a fool.
- To give something a patchwork appearance.
- To make something multicolored, variegated, or diverse in character.
- Comprising greatly varied elements, to the point of incongruity.
- Having many colors; variegated.
Where does motley come from?
From Middle English motle, from Anglo-Norman motteley (“parti-colored”), from Old English mot (“speck”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with motley
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of motley.
Questions about saying motley
How do you pronounce motley?
Say MOT-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɑtli/. In British English it is /ˈmɒtli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in motley?
Motley has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MOT). Broken into parts: MOT · lee.
Is motley pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈmɒtli/ (MOT-lee).