motto
gb/mˈɑtoʊ/ us/mˈɑtoʊ/
B1
English
~ 8000
mottó, jelmondat, címerjelmondat
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s motto is "[words]"
Her personal motto is "Never give up."
Személyes mottója: „Soha ne add fel.”
The company motto, "Quality first," is printed on all their packaging.
A cég mottója, a „Minőség az első”, minden csomagolásukon szerepel.
As a teacher, his motto is to "make learning fun for everyone."
The club chose "Service before self" as its new motto.
If I had to pick a motto for my life, it would be "Stay curious."
Learner examples
My motto is "Work hard, play hard."
Az én mottóm: „Dolgozz keményen, és szórakozz nagyot.”
The school motto is written on the wall.
Az iskola jelmondata a falon olvasható.
Their motto is "Safety first" on every sign.
Her motto at work is "Be on time."
We made a motto for our team: "We never quit."
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "motto" with "motive" or "goal." A motto is a short sentence or phrase that expresses a belief or way of living, not the reason you do something (motive) or something you want to achieve (goal). Another mistake is using an unfinished phrase, like *"My motto is to be happy"*; it is more natural to use a short saying, such as *"My motto is 'Be happy'"*.
Meaning
short phrase expressing principle
Collocations
personal motto
|company motto
|family motto
|school motto
|adopt a motto
|live by the motto
Synonyms
slogan (Often used for advertising or political messages; can sound more commercial than “motto.”)
|
catchphrase (Emphasizes a memorable or often-repeated phrase, sometimes humorous or linked to a person or show.)
|
maxim (More formal and philosophical; stresses a general rule for behavior or thinking.)
|
creed (Focuses on a set of strong beliefs, often religious or moral, not always in the form of a short phrase.)
|
watchword (Formal; a word or short phrase that represents a key idea or principle guiding action.)
Themes
values
|communication
|culture
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A short saying that shows what a person or group believes or how they try to live or work.
A short phrase that expresses the beliefs, goals, or guiding principle of a person, group, or organization.
NOUN
B2
FORMAL
2
jelmondat
B1
Usage pattern:
the motto on [something]
The university seal features a Latin motto beneath an open book.
Az egyetem pecsétjén egy nyitott könyv alatt latin jelmondat szerepel.
On the royal coat of arms, the motto is written on a scroll below the shield.
A királyi címeren a jelmondat a pajzs alatti szalagon olvasható.
The old family crest still bears the original French motto chosen in the 17th century.
The school redesigned its badge but kept the traditional motto.
Around the edge of the coin, the national motto appears in small capital letters.
Learner examples
The motto on the flag is in Latin.
A zászlón szereplő jelmondat latinul van.
Our school crest has a lion and a motto.
Az iskolánk címerén egy oroszlán és egy jelmondat szerepel.
The family motto is written under the shield.
This coin has the country’s motto around the side.
They added a new motto to the team badge.
Meaning
words on a crest or emblem
Collocations
Latin motto
|royal motto
|coat-of-arms motto
|school crest motto
Synonyms
inscription (General word for writing carved or written on an object; does not always express a guiding ideal.)
|
legend (Technical in heraldry and numismatics; refers to writing on a coin or emblem, not necessarily a guiding phrase.)
Themes
symbols
|history
|communication
|arts_entertainment
Definition
A word or short phrase written on a special symbol, like a coat of arms or badge, that says what a person, family, or group stands for.
A word or short phrase written on a coat of arms, badge, coin, or similar symbol to express the ideal or identity of the person, family, or institution it represents.
Grammar
Dictionary form
motto
IPA
GB/mˈɑtoʊ/
US/mˈɑtoʊ/
Syllables & stress
motto (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (motto)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: motto
- Plural: mottoes, mottos
Word family
Forms
mottoes
noun
mottos
noun
Expressions
adopt the motto
1/ədˈɑpt ðə mˈɑtoʊ/
fixed phrase
officially choose a motto
To choose a special short saying to show what a person, group, or company believes or wants to be known for.
Examples
- The club adopted the motto "Stronger together" after the merger.
- Many startups adopt the motto "Move fast" to encourage quick decisions.
- The new school will adopt the motto of its founder: "Education for all."
live by the motto
1/lˈɪv bˈaɪ ðə mˈɑtoʊ/
fixed phrase
follow the rule of a motto
To try to act in your life according to the words of a motto.
Examples
- She really lives by the motto "Honesty is the best policy."
- As a company, they live by the motto "People over profit."
- He tries to live by the motto his father taught him: "Respect everyone."
my motto is
1/mˈaɪ mˈɑtoʊ ˈɪz/
fixed phrase
introducing a personal motto
Used before you say a short sentence that shows how you try to live or work.
Examples
- My motto is "Do it right the first time."
- My motto is "Stay calm and carry on," even when things get stressful.
- My motto is "Learn something new every day."
our motto is
1/ˈaʊɚ mˈɑtoʊ ˈɪz/
fixed phrase
introducing a group motto
Used before you say a short sentence that shows what a group or organization believes or how it tries to act.
Examples
- Our motto is "Customers come first."
- In this team, our motto is "No one is left behind."
- Our motto is "Think big, start small."
that's my motto
1/ðˈæts mˈaɪ mˈɑtoʊ/
fixed phrase
claiming a phrase as your motto
Said after a short sentence to show that it is the rule or idea you try to live by.
Examples
- "Work smarter, not harder"—that's my motto.
- When she heard him say "Kindness costs nothing," she laughed and replied, "That's my motto!"
- "Always double-check your work"—that's my motto at the office.