monotone
The teacher's monotone voice made the students drowsy during the lecture.
The teacher spoke in a flat, unchanging tone that caused the students to feel sleepy.
A sound, especially a voice, that is unvarying in pitch and lacks musicality.
Her speech was delivered in a calm, monotone, with no emotional inflection.
She spoke in a steady, emotionless voice.
Often used to describe voices, music, or sounds that are dull or boring due to lack of variation.
A single unvaried musical pitch or tone.
The choir sang in monotone, creating a hypnotic effect.
The choir sang using only one pitch, producing a monotonous sound.
In music, 'monotone' refers to a single sustained pitch, often used in chanting or minimalist compositions.
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Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'monotone'
While 'monotone' is useful for describing unvarying sounds, it can sound overly critical. Consider alternatives like 'flat' or 'dull' depending on context.
Gold Rule
Use 'monotone' for sound, not visuals
Reserve 'monotone' for auditory contexts (voices, music). For visual monotony (e.g., colors), use 'monochromatic' or 'uniform.'
Word Origin
From Latin *monotonus*, from Greek *monotonos* (μονότονος), meaning 'of one tone,' from *monos* (μόνος) 'single' + *tonos* (τόνος) 'tone.'
Usage Notes
Commonly used to describe voices, music, or sounds that lack variation, often implying dullness or boredom. Avoid using 'monotone' to describe visual monotony (e.g., colors); use 'monochromatic' instead.