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View synonyms for motto

motto

[ mot-oh ]

noun

, plural mot·toes, mot·tos.
  1. a maxim adopted as an expression of the guiding principle of a person, organization, city, etc.
  2. a sentence, phrase, or word expressing the spirit or purpose of a person, organization, city, etc., and often inscribed on a badge, banner, etc.


motto

/ ˈmɒtəʊ /

noun

  1. a short saying expressing the guiding maxim or ideal of a family, organization, etc, esp when part of a coat of arms
  2. a short explanatory phrase inscribed on or attached to something
  3. a verse or maxim contained in a paper cracker
  4. a quotation prefacing a book or chapter of a book
  5. a recurring musical phrase
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of motto1

1580–90; < Italian < Late Latin muttum sound, utterance. See mot
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Word History and Origins

Origin of motto1

C16: via Italian from Latin muttum utterance
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Compare Meanings

How does motto compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

The motto of the internationalization task force was “Making the World Wide Web world wide!”

From Fortune

If the 6 GHz “very fast over short distances” motto sounds familiar, it’s likely because you’ve also heard it in regards to 5G, specifically the millimeter wave tech currently in use by Verizon.

The motto for New York City could be, “The holidays must go on.”

Armed with his bike, four GoPros, and a face mask, he was still pushing ahead a bombozza—“full throttle,” a kind of personal motto—with his mission of being both an entertainer and a social avenger on two wheels.

If the family of GPT language models had a motto, it could be “Fake it till you make it.”

Terrorism is bad news anywhere, but especially rough on Odessa, where the city motto seems to be “make love, not war.”

Giorgio read aloud what they had chosen as their class motto.

“Still Standing,” read the firehouse motto stenciled on the front of the two rigs parked behind them.

The motto of the United States is E Pluribus Unum Latin for “Out of Many, one.”

Location: Lincolnton, N.C. Town motto: "History, Arts, Culture...They All Find a Home in Lincolnton!"

It has been richly painted, the arms of France being on the back, and the motto 'Pietate et Justitia' on the sides.

To meet the thousand wonderings at his conduct, he exchanged the ancient motto of the Lafayettes for a new one of his own.

His motto was, "Grab a dollar to-day—but don't meddle with it if it interferes with a thousand dollars in ten years."

To the choice of this motto attaches a history in which a certain Sergius Rachinsky played a part.

If 1871 opened up Channel groping under racing trim, 'progress' must truly be held the motto for 1872.

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