Motto vs. Credo — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Motto and Credo

Definitions

Motto

A motto (derived from the Latin muttum, 'mutter', by way of Italian motto, 'word', 'sentence') is the general motivation or intention of an individual, family, social group or organization. Mottos are usually found predominantly in written form (unlike slogans, which may also be expressed orally), and may stem from long traditions of social foundations, or from significant events, such as a civil war or a revolution.

Credo

In Christian liturgy, the credo (Latin: [ˈkɾeːdoː]; Latin for "I believe") is the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (or less often, the Apostles' Creed or the Athanasian Creed) in the Mass, either as spoken text, or sung as Gregorian chant or other musical settings of the Mass.

Motto

A short sentence or phrase chosen as encapsulating the beliefs or ideals of an individual, family, or institution

The family motto is ‘Faithful though Unfortunate’

Credo

A statement of the beliefs or aims which guide someone's actions

He announced his credo in his first editorial

Motto

A phrase which recurs throughout a musical work and has some symbolical significance

They were developing the use of leitmotifs or mottoes that appear throughout an opera

Credo

A creed.

Motto

A brief statement used to express a principle, goal, or ideal

“We explain that when someone is cruel, or acts like a bully, you don't stoop to their level—no, our motto is ‘when they go low, we go high'” (Michelle Obama).

Credo

The Apostles' Creed.

Motto

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

Credo

The Nicene Creed, especially as the third item of the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Mass.

Motto

A sentence, phrase, or word, prefixed to an essay, discourse, chapter, canto, or the like, suggestive of its subject matter; a short, suggestive expression of a guiding principle; a maxim.

Credo

The musical setting of the Nicene Creed.

Motto

(obsolete) A paper packet containing a sweetmeat, cracker, etc., together with a scrap of paper bearing a motto.

Credo

A statement of a belief or a summary statement of a whole belief system; also (metonymically) the belief or belief system itself.

Motto

(intransitive) To compose mottos.

Credo

(Christianity) The liturgical creed (usually the Nicene Creed), or a musical arrangement of it for use in church services.

Credo III is so beautiful!

Motto

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

Credo

The creed, as sung or read in the Roman Catholic church.

He repeated Aves and Credos.

Motto

A sentence, phrase, or word, prefixed to an essay, discourse, chapter, canto, or the like, suggestive of its subject matter; a short, suggestive expression of a guiding principle; a maxim.

It was the motto of a bishop eminent for his piety and good works, . . . "Serve God, and be cheerful."