monotony
Americannoun
-
wearisome uniformity or lack of variety, as in occupation or scenery.
-
the continuance of an unvarying sound; monotone.
-
sameness of tone or pitch, as in speaking.
noun
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wearisome routine; dullness
-
lack of variety in pitch or cadence
Etymology
Origin of monotony
1700–10; < Late Greek monotonía, equivalent to monóton ( os ) monotonous + -ia -y 3
Explanation
Monotony is when you have too much of a boring thing: one tone of voice going on and on, one piece of flat music playing over and over, one infomercial droning on and on. There is no variety in monotony. Monotony goes back to the Greek root monotonos, which comes from mono-, "single," and tonos, "tone." One tone only equals monotony. A day with a lot of repetition, or monotony, is humdrum. When you get too much of the same boring, one-note thing, you experience monotony. Monotony. Monotony.
Vocabulary lists containing monotony
The Things They Carried
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The Alchemist
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The Stranger
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The monotony of a corporate job can be grating, but a steady paycheck provides a sense of security.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 13, 2026
One pattern encapsulates the monotony of prison life, while another represents the rooftops she could see on her twice daily 10-minute walks while inside.
From BBC ● May 30, 2026
While we all need periodic reminders that pierce through the monotony and horrors of the day, awe of nature and our fragile existence being paramount, we also need reminders that a better future is possible.
From Salon ● Apr. 7, 2026
His practice can be intentionally repetitive, reflecting the monotony of cancer treatment, and inspires viewers to meditate with the movement.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 13, 2026
Yet despite the monotony of farm life, the longer we live in Krang Truop, the more fearful and anxious I become.
From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
