French Conversation · Level 31
89 words
French word
monotone
Pronunciation
IPA/monotɔn/
Meaning
- adjectivemonotonous
Example
La chanson est monotone et tout le monde s'ennuie.
The song is monotonous and everyone is bored.
More examples
Il parle d'un ton monotone pendant la réunion.
He speaks in a monotonous tone during the meeting.
Core concept
A song, voice, or manner that stays on the same level until it feels flat and tiring.
Common phrases
voix monotone
monotone voice
ton monotone
monotonous tone
rythme monotone
monotonous rhythm
Similar words
monocorde: Delivered in a single tone, revealing little emotional change in the voice or narration.
plat: Flat in voice or expression, with almost no variation.
ennuyeux: Uninteresting and causing boredom when seen or heard.
Definition in French
Qui manque de variation, surtout dans la voix, la musique ou le style, et qui paraît uniforme ou plat.
Word origin
The learned borrowing monotone is based on Greek monotonos, formed from monos "one" and tonos "tone," and French uses it for a lack of variation.
Usage tips
- Monotone has the same written form in the masculine and feminine singular, as in "un ton monotone" and "une voix monotone"; the plural is monotones.