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

Those movies thrived on human absurdity, yet their characters spoke in a bored monotone, regarding the strange circumstances of their lives with resigned terror. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 21 June 2024

Home Decor Many people have a personal style for clothing — maximalism, monotones and more. —Cincinnati Enquirer, The Enquirer, 30 Mar. 2024

Adjective

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

As his name suggests, Agent Smith is nothing more than a monotone parody of FBI G-men. —Manuel Betancourt, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Greek monotonos monotonous

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