How to pronounce monotone
Say it like MON-uh-tohn. Monotone has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce monotone. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MON
- uh
- tohn
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Monotone pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tohnKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of monotone
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: MON-uh-tohn.
What does monotone mean?
- A single unvaried tone of speech or a sound.“When Tima felt like her parents were treating her like a servant, she would speak in monotone and act as though she were a robot.”
- A piece of writing in one strain throughout.
- Having a single unvaried pitch.
- Of a function: that is always nonincreasing or nondecreasing on an interval.“The function f(x)#58;#61;x³ is monotone on #92;R, while g(x)#58;#61;x² is not.”
- Synonym of monochrome.
- To speak in a monotone.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying monotone
How do you pronounce monotone?
Say MON-uh-tohn. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɑnətoʊn/. In British English it is /ˈmɒnətəʊn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in monotone?
Monotone has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MON). Broken into parts: MON · uh · tohn.
Is monotone pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈmɒnətəʊn/ (MON-uh-tohn).