monocle

noun

mon·​o·​cle ˈmä-ni-kəl How to pronounce monocle (audio)
: an eyeglass for one eye
monocled adjective

Illustration of monocle

Illustration of monocle

Examples of monocle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web After giving him a monocle, a curly mustache, a soul patch and drawings on his forehead, North carefully places the eyeliner in the elf's arm next to her brother. Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 22 Dec. 2022 Yeah, my monocle fell out of my eye. Chris Willman, Variety, 15 Mar. 2023 The simple red brick wall behind the stage became a staple of the comedy-club aesthetic, as did the dingy bathrooms and the tight, dark space at the back where Mr. Friedman often sat, peering at the run of show through his trademark monocle. Clay Risen, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2022 This time, the puppet — a remarkable monocle-wearing crow — is a single character, on the scene to investigate a murder. Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 2022 The Penguin is one of the most famous members of the Batman Rogues Gallery, typically recognizable by his top hat, monocle, and wide variety of deadly umbrellas. Joe Otterson, Variety, 9 Mar. 2022 Nabokov started to seem less like a lovable, bumbling Professor Pnin and more like a pitiless White Russian with a monocle and an ebony cigarette holder. Ian Frazier, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'monocle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, from Late Latin monoculus having one eye, from Latin mon- + oculus eye — more at eye

First Known Use

circa 1858, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monocle was circa 1858

Dictionary Entries Near monocle

Cite this Entry

“Monocle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monocle. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

monocle

noun
mon·​o·​cle ˈmän-i-kəl How to pronounce monocle (audio)
: an eyeglass for one eye
monocled adjective

Medical Definition

monocle

noun
mon·​o·​cle ˈmän-i-kəl How to pronounce monocle (audio)
: an eyeglass for one eye

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