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
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.
Noun
Klum opted for a patent black version of the style which created a monochrome look for her. Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025 The rest of the issues appear in order of publication, complete with their covers—the front usually an illustration set against a single vibrant color, the back often an elegant monochrome photograph by Stacey Sheehan. Jo Livingstone, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The British royal family member went green in a mostly monochrome sartorial statement with warm tones of gold to accentuate her attire. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025 While the watch itself is monochrome and quintessentially Genta, Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini, the watchmakers who run La Fabrique du Temps LV, have reinterpreted his legacy, as the last two watchmakers to work directly under Genta’s guidance. Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for monochrome

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

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Cite this Entry

“Monochrome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monochrome. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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

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