monocle

noun

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

Illustration of monocle

Illustration of monocle

Examples of monocle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To complete the looks, a black bowler hat with a clock face monocle attached. — Angela Yang, NBC news, 6 May 2025 Attached to the brim was a monocle that extended in front of her left eye. — Rachel Raposas, People.com, 6 May 2025 All this, but no one thought to fuse a monocle with a watch the way Monáe and Browne did. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 6 May 2025 She was followed by Meredith who wore his monocle threaded on a silver chain. — Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for monocle

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

Rhymes for monocle

See All Rhymes for monocle

Browse Nearby Words

monociliated
monocle
monocled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Monocle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monocle. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

monocle

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

Medical Definition

monocle

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

More from Merriam-Webster on monocle

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for monocle

Nglish: Translation of monocle for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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