monochrome

1 of 2

noun

mono·​chrome ˈmä-nə-ˌkrōm How to pronounce monochrome (audio)
: a painting, drawing, or photograph in a single hue
monochromic adjective
monochromist 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

Examples of monochrome in a Sentence

Adjective an artist who produces monochrome pencil drawings
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Work, travel, day-to-day stuff, monochrome outfits work for it all. Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2023 The matte finish ensures a refined contemporary feel, while the natural wood floor prevents the monochrome scheme from feeling stark and sterile. 7. Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2023 Bad Bunny also kept it casual in a monochrome navy sweatsuit over a white tee and a pair of light brown suede boots. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2023 To start off the day, Markle spurned the always popular all-black work uniform for a lighter monochrome fall ensemble by pairing a brown silk button-up blouse from L'Agence with wide-leg linen trousers. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2023 Instead of using dark, monochrome coloring, Gonzo’s comic is vibrant with a neon glow. Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2023 The green monochrome approach prevents the room from looking busy while the distressed fireplace mantel treatment and rich velvets warm it up. Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 31 Aug. 2023 And Euphoria's Sydney Sweeney touched down in Italy while embracing monochrome in an entirely cream and linen outfit. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 1 Sep. 2023 These velvet loafers are super fun with their monochrome design and pom pom detail. Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 26 Aug. 2023
Adjective
Something small but budding, like a wad of paper uncrumpling, sullenly radiant and monochrome—like a sequence out of a silent film. Kent Russell, Harper's Magazine, 11 May 2022 If your setting is fairly monochrome, bring in complementary hues to enhance rather than replicate. Anna Fixsen, ELLE Decor, 22 Apr. 2023 Many were in tune with Tár’s preference for (often monochrome) minimalism. Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2023 Greek pottery had always given me trouble: The almost monochrome palette of rust on black-bedaubed white; the hectic many-tiered scenes, one register blurring into another; the curvilinear surface catching the bright museum light in all the wrong places. Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2023 The action is now completely monochrome. Nick Schager, EW.com, 16 Nov. 2020 Foregoing his signature florals, Erdem showed an almost entirely monochrome lineup featuring Sally Bowles-esque bustiers over midi dresses and a lace gown paired with studded elbow-length black gloves and a sequined boa. Alison S. Cohn, Harper's BAZAAR, 18 Sep. 2022 Instead of going completely monochrome, opt for a variety of fellow neutrals like gray, cream, black, and white. Anna Fixsen, ELLE Decor, 29 Dec. 2022 Accent the setting with an equally monochrome place card: Start with a pear that’s been wiped dry, then spray-paint two coats of opaque white. Monique Valeris, Good Housekeeping, 30 Sep. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'monochrome.' 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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of monochrome was in 1662

Dictionary Entries Near monochrome

Cite this Entry

“Monochrome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monochrome. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

monochrome

noun
mono·​chrome
ˈmän-ə-ˌkrōm
: a painting, drawing, or photograph in a single color
monochrome adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on monochrome

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!