adj
monotone
MON-uh-tohn
Monotone (adj) means unvarying in pitch or tone; flat and unchanging in sound. Example: “He read the announcement in a dull monotone voice.”
adj
1
Unvarying in pitch or tone; flat and unchanging in sound.
"He read the announcement in a dull monotone voice."
noun
1
A flat, unvarying tone or way of speaking.
"Her monotone made even exciting news sound boring."
How to use monotone
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA voice or sound that never changes pitch, often sounding flat or boring.
Common pairings
speak in a monotone
a monotone voice
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Word forms
- Plural
- monotones
- Third person singular
- monotones
- Past tense
- monotoned
- Comparative
- more monotone
- Superlative
- most monotone
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He read the announcement in a dull _____ voice.
Etymology
From Late Latin monotonus, "unvarying in tone," from Greek monotonos, "steady, unwavering."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for monotone
See all rhymes for monotone →Frequently asked questions
What does “monotone” mean?
The word “monotone” means unvarying in pitch or tone; flat and unchanging in sound. In plain terms, a voice or sound that never changes pitch, often sounding flat or boring.
How do you pronounce “monotone”?
“Monotone” is pronounced MON-uh-tohn (/ˈmɑ.nə.toʊn/ in IPA).
How do you use “monotone” in a sentence?
Here is “monotone” used in a sentence: “He read the announcement in a dull monotone voice.”
What part of speech is “monotone”?
Depending on how it is used, “monotone” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “monotone” come from?
The word “monotone” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin monotonus, "unvarying in tone," from Greek monotonos, "steady, unwavering.".
How many meanings does “monotone” have?
“Monotone” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: unvarying in pitch or tone; flat and unchanging in sound.
