motto

Definitions  ·  Examples  ·  Pronunciations  ·  Etymologies  ·  Related  ·  Statistics  ·  Comments (1)  · 
“
Indisputably, madam:--for as a motto is a word to the wise, or rather a broad hint to the whole world of a person's taste and principles,--Vive la Bagatelle would be most expressive at first sight of your ladyship's characteristic Lady Rod_.

View all »
Definitions (9)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (3)

  1. noun A brief statement used to express a principle, goal, or ideal. See Synonyms at saying.
  2. noun A sentence, phrase, or word of appropriate character inscribed on or attached to an object.
  3. noun A maxim adopted as a guide to one's conduct.

Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (4)

Toggle GNU Webster definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (1)

Toggle WordNet definitions WordNet (1)

Toggle elsewhere links Elsewhere on the web

View all »
Examples (50)

  • Implicit in the motto is a renunciation of modernism. —  RenewAmerica
  • People generally use search engines tactics while creating content for webpages while the motto should be our visitors. —  Find Free Articles - ArticlesBase
  • And while McCain's motto -- as seen in a new TV ad -- is "Country First," the AIP's motto is the exact opposite -- "Alaska First -- Alaska Always." —  WHAT REALLY HAPPENED
  • In its brevity and elegance, this motto is a fine example of why Latin makes such a good language for mottos. —  WordPress.com Top Blogs
  • The state berth actually came in game No. 23 this season - the Redbirds received a first-round bye in regional play - but the motto is all the same for this bunch. —  The Green Bay Press-Gazette Latest Headlines
More examples »
 

Tags

Sign up or sign in to add tags.

Stats

This word has been looked up 684 times.

stop updating
On Twitter

Photos from

flickr images

Add a related word »
Related

Roget's II Roget's II: The New Thesaurus

Allen's Allen's Synonyms and Antonyms

Used in the same context Used in the Same Context

inscription ·  saying ·  maxim ·  proverb ·  emblem ·  ballad ·  legend ·  poem ·  hymn ·  utterance ·  commentary ·  epitaph
Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Italian, word, motto, probably from Vulgar Latin *mōttum, word; see mot.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. from Italian motto (= French mot), a saying, motto: see mot.
 

Pronunciations
Record your own »
/ˈmɑtoʊ/
by American Heritage

Charts
frequency chart

Bubble size: how much this word was used in a year

Bubble height: used more or less than expected, vs. all uses evenly distributed

You can expect to see this word about twice a week.

Recently looked up

pawned · methaqualone · crestfallen · Downfall · go-go

Recent Favorites

pygopagus · sanglant · Astacus · sweetbread · qualms

Recent Pronunciations

these grunts every eight hours · haul it off to our darkest dungeon · send for a doctor · forget what witticism you were originally going to insert here because you've just banged your knee on your desk · the rest will come naturally