Jump to:

• 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.

---

mono ² American  

[mon-oh] / ˈmɒn oʊ /

adjective

1. monophonic.

---

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 ).

---

mono ¹ British  

/ ˈmɒnəʊ /

adjective

1. short for monophonic

---

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

---

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.

---

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

In fact, these oils contain a low amount - 5-10% - of unhealthy saturated fats and are high in healthier mono- and polyunsaturated fats.

From BBC • Oct. 1, 2025

Emulsifiers, including sodium stearoyl lactylate and mono- and diglycerides.

From Seattle Times • May 2, 2024

But typically bread only uses mono- or diglyceride fatty acids as emulsifiers, which have not been linked to risk of disease.

From Salon • Jun. 14, 2023

When only one atom of the first element is present, the prefix mono- is usually deleted from that part.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Their shirts were mono- grammed and their fingernails manicured.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou