monocle

noun

mon·​o·​cle ˈmä-ni-kəl 

: an eyeglass for one eye

monocled

ˈmä-ni-kəld 

adjective

Illustration of monocle

Examples of monocle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Radclyffe Hall, author of the novel The Well of Loneliness (1928), which featured explicitly LGBTQ+ content, also popularized this distinctive lesbian style, marked by male work attire, and, of course, the monocle. — Gaby Iori october 7, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026

The prevailing motifs include Anglo-American boarding schools and college campuses, accoutrements with a romantic aura (billowing sleeves, melting candles), and analog artifacts (old compasses, monocles). — Sophia Zhang, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026

The role of Eustace went, this time around, to Spike Lee, who traded in the classic monocle for a movie camera. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025

Singer and actor Janelle Monáe’s Thom Browne fit included a contrasting color suit, hat, monocle and cape adorned with the outline of a totally different suit splashed across it. — Dave Schilling, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2025

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

Rhymes for monocle

• canonical
• ironical
• chronicle
• conical

Kids Definition

monocle

noun

mon·​o·​cle ˈmän-i-kəl 

: an eyeglass for one eye

monocled

-kəld 

adjective

Medical Definition

monocle

noun

mon·​o·​cle ˈmän-i-kəl 

: an eyeglass for one eye