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
2
: having a uniform color
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
E.r. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026
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
Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Broadcasters don’t want a monotone, unflappable old-school official.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for monotone
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Noun
Amore approaches the song with all the vocal ferocity of a wind chime; MORI’s chorus repeats the title phrase in monotone.
—E.r. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026
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
Adjective
The monotone transmission recalled the manner in which deep-cover Cold War spies for the KGB and CIA once received orders.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Broadcasters don’t want a monotone, unflappable old-school official.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for monotone
Cite this Entry
“Monotone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monotone. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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