Use motto for a compact statement that sums up a principle, not for a full mission statement or a passing marketing line.
Use motto for a compact statement that sums up a principle, not for a full mission statement or a passing marketing line.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| Our motto is that we try to provide reliable service to customers in every department. | Our mission is to provide reliable service to customers in every department. |
| The team's motto are 'Work hard, stay humble.' | The team's motto is 'Work hard, stay humble.' |
| She mottoes her life by patience. | She lives by the motto 'Be patient.' |
Use motto when the phrase is attached to an emblem or public symbol, especially in heraldry, civic identity, or official display.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The coin's motto is the eagle. | The coin's emblem is the eagle. |
| The coat of arms is 'Forward Together.' | The coat of arms bears the motto 'Forward Together.' |
| The motto was painted under the motto. | The motto was painted under the shield. |
Use motto for an opening quotation that frames a written work, while epigraph is the more common modern literary term.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The motto appears in paragraph five of the chapter. | The quotation appears in paragraph five of the chapter. |
| The motto summarizes the plot in three pages. | The preface summarizes the plot in three pages. |
| The chapter motto was written after the final sentence. | The chapter motto was placed before the chapter. |
Use motto in music for a recurring phrase that carries identity or structure, close to a motif but often more emblematic.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The drummer's random tapping was the symphony's motto. | The recurring horn phrase was the symphony's motto. |
| The motto played only once and never returned. | The phrase played only once and never became a motto. |
| The motto is the singer's biography. | The motto is the recurring melody linked to the singer. |
Use motto for a compact phrase with guiding or emblematic force, and distinguish it from longer mission statements, ordinary slogans, epigraphs, and musical motifs by context.
A long mission statement is not a motto, and the plural can be either mottos or mottoes.
Borrowed from Italian motto, meaning word or saying, from Late Latin muttum, meaning a mutter, grunt, or utterance.
What does motto mean?
A motto is a short expression that states a guiding belief, purpose, or ideal.
What is the plural of motto?
Both mottos and mottoes are accepted plurals.
How is a motto different from a slogan?
A motto usually expresses a lasting principle, while a slogan is often made for promotion or a campaign.
Can motto be used in heraldry?
Yes. In heraldry, a motto is a phrase or word connected with a coat of arms or similar emblem.
Can motto be used in music?
Yes. A musical motto is a short recurring phrase that helps identify an idea, mood, or structure.