monosyllabic

[ mon-uh-si-lab-ik ]

/ ˌmɒn ə sɪˈlæb ɪk /

adjective

having only one syllable, as the word no.

having a vocabulary composed primarily of monosyllables or short, simple words.

very brief; terse or blunt: a monosyllabic reply.

Nearby words

monostratal, monostrophe, monostrophic, monostylous, monosubstituted, monosyllabic, monosyllabism, monosyllable, monosymmetric, monosymptomatic, monosynaptic

Origin of monosyllabic

1815–25; < Medieval Latin monosyllabicus, equivalent to Late Latin monosyllab(on) monosyllable (< Greek monosýllabon, noun use of neuter of monosýllabos monosyllabic) + -icus -ic

Related formsmon·o·syl·lab·i·cal·ly, adverbmon·o·syl·la·bic·i·ty

[mon-uh-sil-uh-bis-i-tee] /ˌmɒn əˌsɪl əˈbɪs ɪ ti/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for monosyllabic

His first language was Russian, then he learned Swedish, but chooses to perform in monosyllabic broken English.
The Cult of Yung Lean: ‘I’m Building An Anarchistic Society From the Ground Up’|Marlow Stern|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
His response, as he remembered it then, had been barely more than monosyllabic.
Bush’s Unanswered 9/11 Questions|Anthony Summers, Robbyn Swan|August 28, 2011|DAILY BEAST
While the boys, many of whom forgot to put on underwear, grunt in monosyllabic tones.
Exactly How Are Men Superior?|Laura Bennett|January 29, 2009|DAILY BEAST
The monosyllabic footman, with much ado, consented to put down his own lantern; then went his way, and came not again.
Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship and Travels, Vol. I (of 2)|Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The monosyllabic language is spoken throughout China and in the different states connected with that empire.
The Human Race|Louis Figuier
The man on the stone slowly turned toward Chamberlain, and at last found voice for more than monosyllabic utterances.
The Stolen Singer|Martha Idell Fletcher Bellinger
Wing—he's too or three other monosyllabic patronymics, but Wing suffices—is an invaluable person.
Ravensdene Court|J. S. (Joseph Smith) Fletcher
Despite her hope, she expected some monosyllabic reply followed by a silence that would prevent a continuance of the subject.
The Shadow|Mary White Ovington

British Dictionary definitions for monosyllabic

monosyllabic

/ (ˌmɒnəsɪˈlæbɪk) /

adjective

(of a word) containing only one syllable

characterized by monosyllables; curta monosyllabic answer

Derived Formsmonosyllabically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for monosyllabic

monosyllabic

adj.

1824, of languages; 1828, of words; 1870, of persons, from monosyllable + -ic. Earlier form was monosyllabical (1680s, of words). Related: Monosyllabically.