Standard Lemma guide

monotonously

adv · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adv

Meaning 1

In a manner that is tedious, repetitious or lacking in variety.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • She worked monotonously at the assembly line.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

In a droning manner, that does not change pitch.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The minister spoke monotonously and his congregation began to doze.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adverb

Meaning 3

in a monotonous manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the history of the play throughout the latter part of the eighteenth century is monotonously uneventful

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English monotone Proto-Indo-European *h3ed- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *h3édosder.? Proto-Italic *-ŏ̄dsos? Old Latin -ōssus Latin -ōsus Old French -usbor. Middle English -ous English -ous English monotonous Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly English -ly English monotonously From monotonous + -ly.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: monòtonament — in a manner that is tedious
  • Hungarian: monotonon — in a manner that is tedious
  • Hungarian: monotonul — in a manner that is tedious
  • Hungarian: monoton módon — in a manner that is tedious
  • Spanish: monótonamente — in a manner that is tedious
  • Catalan: monòtonament — in a droning manner
  • Galician: monotonamente — in a droning manner
  • Hungarian: egyhangúan — in a droning manner
  • Italian: monotonamente — in a droning manner
  • Portuguese: monotonamente — in a droning manner
  • Spanish: monótonamente — in a droning manner