monotone

1 of 2

noun

mono·​tone ˈmä-nə-ˌtōn 

1

: a succession of syllables, words, or sentences in one unvaried key or pitch

2

: a single unvaried musical tone

3

: a tedious sameness or reiteration

4

: a person unable to produce or to distinguish between musical intervals

monotone

2 of 2

adjective

1

: monotonic sense 2

2

: having a uniform color

Synonyms

Noun

• humdrum
• monotonousness
• monotony
• sameness

Examples of monotone in a Sentence

Noun

She read the story in a dull monotone.

He sang in a soft, low monotone.

She spoke in a monotone voice.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Maria Bamford, for example, talks about her anxiety in a hesitant, insecure manner, while Stephen Wright delivers his bleak one-liners in a joyless monotone. —John Roy, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2024

This keeps the work environment from feeling monotone and gray. —Justin Tobin, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Color and Metallic Accents Unlike most urban buildings which were largely monotone–gray, beige, and the colors of the building materials–Art Deco buildings incorporated exterior color. —Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Sep. 2024

Discussions over the defense budget are equally monotone: in 2016, when the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments asked several think tanks to create their ideal strategies and Pentagon budget proposals, only one suggested a budget smaller than the one the White House proposed. —Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 29 May 2020

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Late Latin monotonon, noun derivative from neuter of Greek monótonos "having one tone" (only as adverb monotónōs), from mono- mono- + -tonos, adjective derivative of tónos "stretching, tightening, pitch of the voice" — more at tone entry 1

Adjective

earlier, "lacking variation in pitch," borrowed from Late Latin monotonus, borrowed from Greek monótonos — more at monotone entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1760, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

monotone

noun

mono·​tone

ˈmän-ə-ˌtōn

1

: a series of syllables, words, or sentences on one unchanging key or pitch

speak in a monotone

2

: a single unchanging musical tone

3

: a boring sameness or repetition

a monotone of suburban houses