Mot Meaning
/məʊ/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA witty remark; a witticism; a bon mot.
nounA word or a motto; a device.
Sentence Examples
The MOT found some serious defects in Mary's car.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The clever diplomat always had a witty ____ ready for any awkward moment.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The witty playwright was famous for his perfectly timed bon ____, which always managed to make the entire audience laugh out loud.
Word Origin & History
From French mot. Doublet of motto.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Here and there turns up a […] savage mot."
— 1859, unknown author, “Literary Adventure. Life of Douglas Jerrold”, in North British Review:
"‘He comes from Montreal, in Canada.’ ‘Why?’ she said, repeating Dr Johnson's mot with a forced sneer."
— 1970, John Glassco, Memoirs of Montparnasse, New York, published 2007, page 32:
"Tarquin's eye may read the mot afar."
— 1594, William Shakespeare, Lucrece (First Quarto), London: […] Richard Field, for Iohn Harrison, […], →OCLC:
"Comrades, mark these three mots — it is the call of the Knight of the Fetterlock"
— 1819 December 20 (indicated as 1820), Walter Scott, Ivanhoe; a Romance. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Edinburgh: […] Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co. […], →OCLC:
"Come wed, my dear, and let's agree, / Then of the booze-ken you'll be free; / No sneer from cully, mot, or froe / Dare then reproach my Bess for Joe; / For he's the kiddy rum and queer, / That all St. Giles's boys do fear."
— 1789, G. Parker, “The Sandman's Wedding”, in Farmer, John Stephen, editor, Musa Pedestris, published 1896:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The clever diplomat always had a witty ____ ready for any awkward moment.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The witty playwright was famous for his perfectly timed bon ____, which always managed to make the entire audience laugh out loud.