Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Having or appearing to have only one color: Describes something that uses or displays only one color, or different shades of a single color. This is often used in contrast to something that is multicolored or polychrome.
   • Involving black, white, and shades of gray: Commonly used to describe displays, photographs, or art that are not in color.

2. Noun:

   • A black-and-white photograph or slide: An image that uses only black, white, and gray tones.
   • Painting done in a range of tones of a single color: An artistic work created using variations in lightness and darkness of one hue.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The artist's early work was entirely monochrome, using only shades of blue.
  • Old computer monitors were often monochrome, displaying green or amber text on a black screen.

• Noun:

  • The exhibition featured a stunning monochrome of a forest in winter.
  • He prefers the classic look of a monochrome for his portrait photography.

Advanced Usage

• In technology: Refers to a display or output device that shows information in a single color (e.g., black on white, or green on black).

  • The printer can be set to monochrome mode to save colored ink.

• In design and fashion: Describes an outfit or decor scheme using different tones of one color.

  • She dressed in a sophisticated monochrome palette of charcoal gray.

Variants and Related Words

• Monochromatic (adj): Having or consisting of one color or hue. Often used interchangeably with 'monochrome' in artistic and scientific contexts.

  • The scientist observed the sample under monochromatic light.

• Monotint (n): An archaic or less common term for a monochrome painting.

  • The gallery displayed an 18th-century monotint.

Synonyms

• Black-and-white: Specifically for images using only black, white, and gray.
• Grayscale: Specifically for digital images or displays using shades of gray.
• Single-color: A more general descriptive term.

Antonyms

• Polychrome: Having many or various colors.
• Colorful: Having bright colors or a lot of different colors.
• Multicolored: Consisting of several colors.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• In monochrome: Describing something presented without color.
  • He remembers his childhood in monochrome, though old photos prove the world was just as colorful then.

Adjective

1. having or appearing to have only one color

Noun

1. a black-and-white photograph or slide
2. painting done in a range of tones of a single color