monotony

American  

[muh-not-n-ee] / məˈnɒt n i /

noun

1. wearisome uniformity or lack of variety, as in occupation or scenery.

2. the continuance of an unvarying sound; monotone.

3. sameness of tone or pitch, as in speaking.

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monotony British  

/ məˈnɒtənɪ /

noun

1. wearisome routine; dullness

2. lack of variety in pitch or cadence

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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.

Example Sentences

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

For John Winston Isidro, life aboard his VLCC, or Very Large Crude Carrier, has been marked by equal parts monotony and precaution since his ship began playing the waiting game.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

Just as the viewer starts to see the first shades of monotony rising over the horizon, Seyfried and Feig flip the script.

From Salon • Jan. 31, 2026

His classic “The Painter of Modern Life,” advocating for upending art’s sclerotic monotony, appeared in three profoundly influential installments of the Parisian newspaper Le Figaro.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 1, 2025

The sound of the doorbell broke up the monotony of the day.

From "The Red Umbrella" by Christina Gonzalez

Related Words

• tedium