monotone
/'mɔnətoun/
Definition
Adjective:
- Sounded or spoken in a tone unvarying in pitch: Describes a sound, voice, or speech that lacks variation in pitch or inflection.
- Consistently increasing and never decreasing, or consistently decreasing and never increasing in value: A mathematical term describing a sequence or function that moves in only one direction (always up or always down).
Noun:
- A single tone repeated with different words or different rhythms: A sound or note that is repeated without change, especially in certain types of recitation or music.
- An unchanging intonation: A manner of speaking in which the pitch of the voice remains flat and level.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- The teacher's monotone voice made the lecture difficult to follow.
- The function f(x) = 2x is a monotone increasing function.
Noun:
- He recited the poem in a dull monotone.
- The chant was a simple monotone repeated throughout the ceremony.
Advanced Usage
"In a monotone": This is the most common adverbial phrase, describing the manner of speaking or reading.
- She delivered the entire report in a monotone, never changing her pitch.
"Monotone sequence": A specific term in mathematics for a sequence that is either entirely non-increasing or non-decreasing.
- The sequence 1, 2, 3, 4... is a classic example of a monotone sequence.
Variants and Related Words
Monotonous (adjective): Lacking in variety; tediously unvarying. (This is the more common adjective for describing boring, repetitive sounds or activities).
- The monotonous hum of the engine put him to sleep.
Monotony (noun): Lack of variety and interest; tedious repetition and routine.
- He hated the monotony of his daily commute.
Synonyms
- Adjective (for sound): Flat, toneless, uninflected, droning.
- Adjective (mathematical): Monotonic, consistently increasing/decreasing.
- Noun: Drone, chant, single pitch.
Antonyms
- Adjective (for sound): Melodious, varied, inflected, expressive.
- Adjective (mathematical): Non-monotonic, oscillating.
Adjective
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sounded or spoken in a tone unvarying in pitch
-
the owl's faint monotonous hooting
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of a sequence or function; consistently increasing and never decreasing or consistently decreasing and never increasing in value
Noun
-
a single tone repeated with different words or different rhythms (especially in rendering liturgical texts)
-
an unchanging intonation
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