monotone

1 of 2

noun

mono·​tone ˈmä-nə-ˌtōn 

1

: a succession of syllables, words, or sentences in one unvaried key or pitch

read the story in a low monotone

2

: a single unvaried musical tone

3

: a tedious sameness or reiteration

a monotone of lifeless desert

4

: a person unable to produce or to distinguish between musical intervals

monotone

2 of 2

adjective

1

: monotonic sense 2

2

: having a uniform color

Synonyms of monotone

Noun

• monotony
• boredom
• humdrum

Examples of monotone in a Sentence

Noun

She read the story in a dull monotone.

He sang in a soft, low monotone.

She spoke in a monotone voice.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Here is an echoey and relatively quiet limestone room full of people — Mondragon’s deep laconic monotone would attract attention in a second. —Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026

In interviews, his sound bites fall somewhere between measured and monotone. —Tom Kludt, Vanity Fair, 17 Feb. 2026

Adjective

Counter to the stereotype of the auctioneer as dry, monotone and more often than not male, Fenet learned about 10 years into her two-decade-plus career that harnessing her affable personality and sense of humor would encourage donors to open their wallets wider. —Scarlett Harris, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026

Broadcasters don’t want a monotone, unflappable old-school official. —Michael Cox, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Late Latin monotonon, noun derivative from neuter of Greek monótonos "having one tone" (only as adverb monotónōs), from mono- mono- + -tonos, adjective derivative of tónos "stretching, tightening, pitch of the voice" — more at tone entry 1

Adjective

earlier, "lacking variation in pitch," borrowed from Late Latin monotonus, borrowed from Greek monótonos — more at monotone entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1760, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for monotone

• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone
• cornerstone
• cortisone
• dictaphone

Kids Definition

monotone

noun

mono·​tone

ˈmän-ə-ˌtōn

1

: a series of syllables, words, or sentences on one unchanging key or pitch

speak in a monotone

2

: a single unchanging musical tone

3

: a boring sameness or repetition

a monotone of suburban houses