Monotonous: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：boring and unchanging (monotonous)

monotonous 🔊

/məˈnɒtənəs/

adj.

Something that is boring because it never changes or has no variety.

Illustration of monotonous work: a bored person performing repetitive office tasks

boring and unchanging 🔊

➕

/ˈbɔːrɪŋ ænd ʌnˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/

adj.

Describes something that is dull and tedious because it remains the same without any variation.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Greek 'monos' (single) and 'tonos' (tone), meaning 'single tone'.

💡 Mnemonic

Mono (one) + tone (sound) = monotonous means one boring sound or pattern.

📖 Example

After a few months, his office job became incredibly monotonous, as he entered the same data into the computer every single day. 🔊 After several months, his office work turned extremely monotonous because he had to input the same data into the computer daily.

🔗 Collocations

monotonous task – a boring and repetitive job or duty

monotonous voice – a flat and unchanging tone of speech

monotonous routine – a daily schedule that lacks variety

🔄 Synonyms

tedious (adj.) – boring and tiresome, especially due to length or repetition

repetitive (adj.) – involving or characterized by repetition

dull (adj.) – lacking interest or excitement

🚫 Antonyms

varied (adj.) – having many different types or forms

exciting (adj.) – causing great enthusiasm and eagerness

dynamic (adj.) – characterized by constant change, activity, or progress

🌱 Derivatives

monotony (n.) – the quality or state of being monotonous

monotonously (adv.) – in a monotonous manner

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Late Latin 'monotonus', from Greek 'monotonos' (monos 'single' + tonos 'tone'). Historically used in music for a single tone, now commonly describes repetitive tasks or speeches in modern life.