monochrome

1 of 2

noun

mono·​chrome ˈmä-nə-ˌkrōm 

: a painting, drawing, or photograph in a single hue

monochromic

ˌmä-nə-ˈkrō-mik 

adjective

monochromist

ˈmä-nə-ˌkrō-mist 

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

Synonyms of monochrome

Adjective

• solid
• self
• monochromatic
• neutral
• monochromic

Examples of monochrome in a Sentence

Adjective

an artist who produces monochrome pencil drawings

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The package depicts the usual impenetrable forest of the GAS packaging in stark, thorny monochrome. — Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 7 July 2026

There were plenty more boots worn during the tour of this sparkling variety, some monochrome, some gradient. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 6 July 2026

Adjective

If the answer was too monochrome, the company’s policy could draw legal liability and even an investigation from the federal government. — Wendy R. Anderson, Washington Post, 10 July 2026

For decades, soccer cleats were almost exclusively monochrome white or black. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 2 July 2026

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

Rhymes for monochrome

• acrosome
• aerodrome
• catacomb
• centrosome
• chromosome
• cytochrome
• hippodrome
• honeycomb
• liposome
• meerschaum
• metronome
• microtome

Kids Definition

monochrome

noun

mono·​chrome

ˈmän-ə-ˌkrōm

: a painting, drawing, or photograph in a single color

monochrome adjective