motley motley /ˈmɑːtli/

adjective

1. Having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly  ( calico , motley , multi-color [American] , multi-colored [American] , multi-colour [Canadian, British] , multi-coloured [Canadian, British] , multicolor [American] , multicolored [American] , multicolour [Canadian, British] , multicoloured [Canadian, British] , painted , particolored [American] , particoloured [Canadian, British] , piebald , pied , varicolored [American] , varicoloured [Canadian, British] )
   having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly
    A jester dressed in motley
   a jester dressed in motley
    The painted desert
   the painted desert
    A particolored dress
   a particolored dress
    A piebald horse
   a piebald horse
    Pied daisies
   pied daisies
   
2. Consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds  ( motley , assorted , miscellaneous , mixed , sundry )
   consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
    An arrangement of assorted spring flowers
   an arrangement of assorted spring flowers
    Assorted sizes
   assorted sizes
    Miscellaneous accessories
   miscellaneous accessories
    A mixed program of baroque and contemporary music
   a mixed program of baroque and contemporary music
    A motley crew
   a motley crew
    Sundry sciences commonly known as social
   sundry sciences commonly known as social
   

noun

1. A multicolored woolen fabric woven of mixed threads in 14th to 17th century England  ( motley )
   a multicolored woolen fabric woven of mixed threads in 14th to 17th century England
   
2. A garment made of motley (especially a court jester's costume)  ( motley )
   a garment made of motley (especially a court jester's costume)
   
3. A collection containing a variety of sorts of things  ( miscellanea , miscellany , mixed bag , assortment , mixture , motley , potpourri , salmagundi , smorgasbord , variety )
   a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
    A great assortment of cars was on display
   a great assortment of cars was on display
    He had a variety of disorders
   he had a variety of disorders
    A veritable smorgasbord of religions
   a veritable smorgasbord of religions
   

verb

1. Make motley; color with different colors  ( motley , parti-color [American] )
   make motley; color with different colors
   
2. Make something more diverse and varied  ( motley , variegate , vary )
   make something more diverse and varied
    Vary the menu
   Vary the menu