monochrome

American  

[mon-uh-krohm] / ˈmɒn əˌkroʊm /

noun

1. a painting or drawing in different shades of a single color.

2. the art or technique of producing such a painting or drawing.

3. the state or condition of being painted, decorated, etc., in shades of a single color.

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adjective

1. being or made in the shades of a single color.

   a blue monochrome seascape.

2. having the images reproduced in tones of gray.

   monochrome television.

monochrome British  

/ ˈmɒnəˌkrəʊm /

noun

1. a black-and-white photograph or transparency

2. photog black and white

3. 1. a painting, drawing, etc, done in a range of tones of a single colour

   2. the technique or art of this

4. (modifier) executed in or resembling monochrome

   a monochrome print

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adjective

1. devoid of any distinctive or stimulating characteristics

Other Word Forms

• monochromic adjective
• monochromical adjective
• monochromically adverb
• monochromist noun
• monochromy noun

Etymology

Origin of monochrome

From the Medieval Latin word monochrōma, dating back to 1655–65. See mono-, -chrome

Explanation

Things that are monochrome have different tones or shades of only one color. If you prefer to use monochrome film, it means that you love black and white photography. Use the adjective monochrome to describe something that's a single color. If you've ever watched an old black-and-white movie, you know what monochrome film looks like. You can also call a black-and-white photograph a monochrome. The Greek root, monochromos, means "of a single color," from monos, "single or one," and khroma, "color." Originally, it referred to art drawn or painted in tones of one color.

Example Sentences

Long Beach’s R&B savant Giveon kept his Coachella stage to a monochrome motif during his sundown set.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Ballet star Misty Copeland's monochrome outfit featured a playful tutu.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

The enthusiasm also reflects a loss of interest in "workwear" or "quiet luxury", trends that have dominated menswear for years with their simple and often monochrome fabrics.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

The color scheme glides from monochrome in the morning to various shades of blue in the afternoon, a backdrop to blindingly white icebergs, their seawashed cavities a bright turquoise.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 30, 2025

A layer of clouds muddied the sky, bleeding the surrounding color, leaving everything monochrome and drab.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson

Related Words

• consistent
• continual
• nonstop
• perpetual
• regular
• stable
• steady
• unbroken
• uninterrupted