monotonous

[ muh-not-n-uhs ]

adjective

1. lacking in variety; tediously unvarying:

   the monotonous flat scenery.

   Synonyms: dull, boring, humdrum, tedious

2. characterizing a sound continuing on one note.
3. having very little inflection; limited to a narrow pitch range.

monotonous

/ məˈnɒtənəs /

adjective

1. dull and tedious, esp because of repetition
2. unvarying in pitch or cadence

Derived Forms

• moˈnotonousness, noun
• moˈnotonously, adverb

Other Words From

• mo·noto·nous·ly adverb
• mo·noto·nous·ness noun
• unmo·noto·nous adjective
• unmo·noto·nous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of monotonous¹

From the Late Greek word monótonos, dating back to 1770–80. See mono-, tone, -ous

Example Sentences

The monotonous mugginess continues, with lows in the low to mid-70s.

From Washington Post

Perhaps it was engaging enough in the novels, but its pitiful execution in the monotonous films made it clear from the very start that Team Jacob never stood much of a chance.

From Washington Post

Saturdays and Sundays in jail are more monotonous and boring than the rest of the week, at least for me.

From Washington Blade

The trip becomes monotonous after the exciting moment of takeoff and the initial curiosity of seeing the earth from the sky.

From Washington Blade

She also recommends trying to retrain yourself to think of down time—whether it’s waiting in line at the grocery store or doing a monotonous chore—not as a waste of your day, but as an opportunity to zone out and relax.

From Popular-Science

His monotonous music is, really, like the audio soundtrack to a k-hole.

From The Daily Beast

Desperate for a way out of her monotonous existence Kumiko becomes obsessed with the frazzled tape and plots her journey to Fargo.

From The Daily Beast

Has covering fashion started to become a bit monotonous for you?

From The Daily Beast

Every robot punch, stab, blast, and crunch is necessary, and the action never grows monotonous.

From The Daily Beast

The Superman blockbuster Man of Steel is a monotonous CGI extravaganza devoid of any humanity.

From The Daily Beast

It will be no more monotonous than having one's seventh birthday or falling in love for the first time.

From Project Gutenberg

We resided at Derby in a terrace on the outskirt of the town, much to my dislike, for monotonous rows of houses I have ever hated.

From Project Gutenberg

At first I used to think the effect of so many people whirling round in the same direction dizzying and monotonous.

From Project Gutenberg

The opposite side, belonging to Hanover, is as flat and monotonous as the other is beautiful.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a native melody, but it had the strange, monotonous lilt of Tony's old-Egyptian melody.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• boring
• dreary
• dull
• ho-hum
• humdrum
• plodding
• repetitious
• repetitive
• tedious
• tiresome