monochrome

1 of 2

noun

mono·​chrome ˈmä-nə-ˌkrōm 

: a painting, drawing, or photograph in a single hue

monochromic

ˌmä-nə-ˈkrō-mik 

adjective

monochromist

ˈmä-nə-ˌkrō-mist 

noun

monochrome

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or made with a single color or hue

2

: involving or producing visual images in a single color or in varying tones of a single color (such as gray)

monochrome film

Synonyms

Adjective

• monochromatic
• monochromic
• self
• self-colored
• solid

Examples of monochrome in a Sentence

Adjective

an artist who produces monochrome pencil drawings

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Librarian-Chic The closest the streaming giant has so far come to winning Best Picture was with Alfonso Cuarón’s monochrome masterpiece about a live-in maid in Mexico City. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2025

At a handful of graves, fake flowers stand out in bright pinks, reds and blues against the monochrome landscape. —Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 25 Jan. 2025

Adjective

The resort's monochrome, minimalist villas are inspired by the white and blue Cycladic design aesthetic. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2025

The reality star paired the piece with a black miniskirt, sheer black tights and black pumps for a wholly monochrome look that mimicked the color choices of her family. —Julia Teti, WWD, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Medieval Latin monochroma, from Latin, feminine of monochromos of one color, from Greek monochrōmos, from mon- + -chrōmos -chrome

First Known Use

Noun

1662, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

monochrome

noun

mono·​chrome

ˈmän-ə-ˌkrōm

: a painting, drawing, or photograph in a single color

monochrome adjective