motto

American  

[mot-oh] / ˈmɒt oʊ /

noun

plural

mottoes, mottos

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.

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motto British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of motto

1580–90; < Italian < Late Latin muttum sound, utterance. See mot

Compare meaning

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

• motto vs. slogan

Example Sentences

“Out with the old mess, in with the new” is the reality genre’s unspoken motto, but let’s think about what that means here.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

With a motto of "If we have it, you can have it", the charity has sent out thousands of items anonymously to parents to collect from 16 libraries.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

More recently, insider trader Ivan Boesky’s “greed is healthy” External link motto became a Wall Street mantra.

From Barron's • Mar. 1, 2026

“We live out of the motto of community over commodity. We want our community to thrive, and the only way that the community can thrive is if we all come up, right?”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

He printed a letterhead and added his own motto: “Do or die, or don’t try.”

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Related Words

• adage
• aphorism
• maxim
• rallying cry