The difference between Motley and Polychromatic

When used as adjectives, motley means comprising greatly varied elements, to the point of incongruity, whereas polychromatic means showing a variety, or a change, of colours.


Motley is also noun with the meaning: an incongruous mixture.

check bellow for the other definitions of Motley and Polychromatic

  1. Motley as an adjective:

    Comprising greatly varied elements, to the point of incongruity; heterogeneous.

  2. Motley as an adjective:

    Having many colours; variegated.

  1. Motley as a noun:

    An incongruous mixture.

  2. Motley as a noun:

    A jester's multicoloured clothes.

  3. Motley as a noun (by extension):

    A jester; a fool.

  1. Polychromatic as an adjective:

    Showing a variety, or a change, of colours; having many colours; multicoloured.

  2. Polychromatic as an adjective (physics, of electromagnetic radiation):

    Composed of more than one wavelength.