Definitions for motto
ˈmɒt oʊmot·to

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:3.7 / 3 votes

1. motto, slogan, catchword, shibbolethnoun

   a favorite saying of a sect or political group

WiktionaryRate this definition:4.0 / 2 votes

1. mottonoun

   A sentence, phrase, or word, forming part of an heraldic achievement.

2. mottonoun

   A sentence, phrase, or word, prefixed to an essay, discourse, chapter, canto, or the like, suggestive of its subject matter; a short, suggestive expression of a guiding principle; a maxim.

   "It was the motto of a bishop eminent for his piety and good works, ... Serve God, and be cheerful." -Addison.

3. Etymology: motto (a word, a saying), muttum (a mutter, a grunt).

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Mottonoun

   A sentence added to a device, or prefixed to any thing written.

   Etymology: motto, Italian.

   It may be said to be the motto of human nature, rather to suffer than to die. Roger L'Estrange, Fables.

   We ought to be meek-spirited, till we are assured of the honesty of our ancestors; for covetousness and circumvention make no good motto for a coat. Collier.

   It was the motto of a bishop eminent for his piety and good works in king Charles the second’s reign, Inservi Deo & lætare, Serve God and be chearful. Joseph Addison, Freeholder.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Motto

   A motto (derived from the Latin muttum, 'mutter', by way of Italian motto, 'word' or 'sentence') is a sentence or phrase expressing a belief or purpose, or the general motivation or intention of an individual, family, social group, or organisation. Mottos (or mottoes) are usually found predominantly in written form (unlike slogans, which may also be expressed orally), and may stem from long traditions of social foundations, or from significant events, such as a civil war or a revolution. A motto may be in any language, but Latin has been widely used, especially in the Western world.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Mottonoun

   a sentence, phrase, or word, forming part of an heraldic achievment

2. Mottonoun

   a sentence, phrase, or word, prefixed to an essay, discourse, chapter, canto, or the like, suggestive of its subject matter; a short, suggestive expression of a guiding principle; a maxim

3. Etymology: [It. motto a word, a saying, L. muttum a mutter, a grunt, cf. muttire, mutire, to mutter, mumble; prob. of imitative origin. Cf. Mot a word.]

FreebaseRate this definition:3.0 / 1 vote

1. Motto

   A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used in the Western world. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments. In informal ways, it can be a rule or slogan someone follows, or lives their life by.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Motto

   mot′ō, n. a short sentence or phrase prefixed in anything intimating the subject of it: a phrase attached to a coat-of-arms: a paper packet containing a sweetmeat, cracker, &c., together with a scrap of paper bearing a motto—a motto-kiss:—pl. Mottoes (mot′ōz).—adj. Mott′oed. [Low L. muttum—muttīre, to mutter.]

Military Dictionary and GazetteerRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. motto

   In heraldry, is a word or short sentence which forms an accompaniment to a coat of arms, crest, or household badge. In modern heraldry it is customary to place the motto in an escrol either above the crest or below the shield.

Surnames Frequency by Census RecordsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. MOTTO

   According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Motto is ranked #18262 in terms of the most common surnames in America.
   
   The Motto surname appeared 1,521 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 would have the surname Motto.
   
   88.1% or 1,340 total occurrences were White.
   7.5% or 114 total occurrences were of Hispanic origin.
   2.3% or 36 total occurrences were Black.
   1% or 16 total occurrences were of two or more races.

Matched Categories

1. • Saying

How to pronounce motto?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say motto in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of motto in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of motto in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of motto in a Sentence

1. Joe Biden:

   Your state motto is, While I breathe, I hope, its not a joke. Were breathing, but God, we have got to have hope.

2. Charles Lamb:

   My motto is: Contented with little, yet wishing for more.

3. Annie Laurie:

   We should have a national motto that we can put up in the school without imposing religion on a captive audience of school kids, it miseducates students. We live under a godless and secular Constitution.

4. Francis Collins:

   Now, keep in mind that the likelihood of that is pretty low, this is like the Boy Scout motto,' Be Prepared,'.

5. Robert Burns:

   Learn taciturnity and let that be your motto!

Popularity rank by frequency of use