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• mono
  mono

  noun

  infectious mononucleosis.
• mono-
  mono-

  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 ).
• mono–
  mono–

  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.

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

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025

An actual symphony orchestra rerecorded “Oz’s” mono score on the very same MGM stage used in 1939, allegedly with some of the same instruments.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 3, 2025

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

From Seattle Times • Nov. 10, 2023

Director Peter Jackson and his team developed new software that allowed them to "de-mix" mono recordings from the 1970s to isolate individual instruments and vocals.

From BBC • Oct. 26, 2023

She hadn’t sent any remedies for the strep or the mono.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover