mono

¹ American  

[mon-oh] / ˈmɒn oʊ /

noun

Informal.

1. infectious mononucleosis.

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mono ² American  

[mon-oh] / ˈmɒn oʊ /

adjective

1. monophonic.

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mono- ³ American  

especially before a vowel, mon-

1. a combining form meaning “alone,” “single,” “one” (monogamy ); specialized in some scientific terms to denote a monomolecular thickness (monolayer ) and adapted in chemistry to apply to compounds containing one atom of a particular element (monohydrate ).

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mono ¹ British  

/ ˈmɒnəʊ /

adjective

1. short for monophonic

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noun

1. monophonic sound; monophony

mono- ² British  

combining form

1. one; single

   monochrome

   monorail

2. indicating that a chemical compound contains a single specified atom or group

   monoxide

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mono– Scientific  

1. A prefix that means “one, only, single,” as in monochromatic, having only one color. It is often found in chemical names where it means “containing just one” of the specified atom or group, as in carbon monoxide, which is carbon attached to a single oxygen atom.

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Usage

What does mono- mean? Mono- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “alone, singular, one.” It is used in a great many technical and scientific terms, including in chemistry, where it refers to compounds containing one atom of a particular element.Mono- comes from the Greek mónos, meaning “alone."What are variants of mono-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, mono- becomes mon-, as in monacid.

Etymology

Origin of mono¹

By shortening

Origin of mono²

By shortening

Origin of mono-³

From Greek, combining form of mónos “alone”

Example Sentences

I eventually kissed a boy and did not get mono.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

During my second week at Purchase College, I came down with mono and hepatitis.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025

In 1948, Bing Crosby gave Paul his first mono Ampex recorder, to which Paul added a second playback head, which enabled him to record multiple tracks on the same reel of tape.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2025

It so happened the Cal baseball writer had just come down with mono.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 10, 2023

I culled symptoms of mono, plantar warts, shingles, borderline personality disorder and a bladder infection, as well as listing a bunch of side effects from some TV ads for drugs.

From "Liar, Liar" by Gary Paulsen