English · Word Candidate

motto

/ˈmɑ.toʊ/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: mottos · mottoes · mottoing · mottoed

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A personal slogan.

Noun

Examples

You have to be in it to win it — that's my motto.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

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

Noun

Examples

‘Gentlemen, I can tell you what the new queen will take as her motto. It is Bound to Obey and Serve.’

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To compose mottos.

Verb

Examples

The singularity of his epigraphic strategy notwithstanding, Emerson does not draw attention to his own mottoing. One exchange suggests that his practice was a convention imposed from without.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “motto” mean?

A personal slogan.

Is “motto” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.