monotone

1 of 2

noun

mono·​tone ˈmä-nə-ˌtōn 

1

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

2

: a single unvaried musical tone

3

: a tedious sameness or reiteration

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

Noun

• humdrum
• monotonousness
• monotony
• sameness

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

His miniature sets brim with unsettling detail, and the uncanny monotone characters deliver deadpan lines that hit with precision. —Jamie Lang, Variety, 7 June 2025

Ninety-nine percent of the patrons wear the complimentary t-shirt provided to create a monotone wall of fandom that surrounds the court. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 27 May 2025

Adjective

Sixty-five miles southwest of Chicago, a small hill that looks like a prop from an Indiana Jones movie breaks up the flat, monotone landscape. —Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025

His monotone responses and repetitive hand gestures can often appear robotic. —Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 31 Mar. 2025

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