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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.

monos plural

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.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• monos
  plural

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

Get ready to be surprised by a Puerto Rican asalto navideño or enjoy a glass of cola de mono with your Chilean friends.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2023

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

From Seattle Times • Nov. 10, 2023

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

From "Educated" by Tara Westover