Monosyllabic
adjective
A word or sound that is made up of just one syllable.
The word 'cat' is monosyllabic.
Often appears as...
- monosyllabic word
- monosyllabic sound
adjective
A person who speaks in very short utterances or replies, most words consisting of only one syllable.
He was being monosyllabic, providing only yes or no answers.
Often appears as...
- monosyllabic response
- monosyllabic person
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
A word or sound that is made up of just one syllable.
The word 'cat' is monosyllabic.
Often appears as...
- monosyllabic word
- monosyllabic sound
adjective
A person who speaks in very short utterances or replies, most words consisting of only one syllable.
He was being monosyllabic, providing only yes or no answers.
Often appears as...
- monosyllabic response
- monosyllabic person
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Short and Quick
Monosyllabic words can speed up conversation due to their brevity.
Commands like 'run' or 'go' are monosyllabic and direct.
Pro Tip 2/3Clear Pronunciation
Pronounce monosyllabic words clearly to avoid misunderstanding, as they're brief.
The monosyllabic word 'cut' should be pronounced distinctly.
Pro Tip 3/3Poetic Rhythm
Monosyllabic words can create rhythm in poetry or song lyrics.
The monosyllabic beat in the poem gave it a strong rhythm.
Pro Tip 1/3Short and Quick
Monosyllabic words can speed up conversation due to their brevity.
Commands like 'run' or 'go' are monosyllabic and direct.
Pro Tip 2/3Clear Pronunciation
Pronounce monosyllabic words clearly to avoid misunderstanding, as they're brief.
The monosyllabic word 'cut' should be pronounced distinctly.
Pro Tip 3/3Poetic Rhythm
Monosyllabic words can create rhythm in poetry or song lyrics.
The monosyllabic beat in the poem gave it a strong rhythm.
Pro Tip 1/3Short and Quick
Monosyllabic words can speed up conversation due to their brevity.
Commands like 'run' or 'go' are monosyllabic and direct.
Pro Tip 2/3Clear Pronunciation
Pronounce monosyllabic words clearly to avoid misunderstanding, as they're brief.
The monosyllabic word 'cut' should be pronounced distinctly.
Pro Tip 3/3Poetic Rhythm
Monosyllabic words can create rhythm in poetry or song lyrics.
The monosyllabic beat in the poem gave it a strong rhythm.
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Video examples
The case against "good"...
and send these words to their rightful fate. Now imagine a world without these two words. Imagine a world where real description is required, digging further into our vocabulary than just a monosyllabic effort to get away with not being honest,
Video examples
The case against "good"...
and send these words to their rightful fate. Now imagine a world without these two words. Imagine a world where real description is required, digging further into our vocabulary than just a monosyllabic effort to get away with not being honest,
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Thomas McGuane
American Author
Summertime in Montana, I become a monosyllabic baboon. I want to ride with the cowboys, go to brandings, doctor cattle, and train my horses. But in a few months, the snow starts to fly. The days become shorter; the yellow color of interior light becomes delicious. I look at my shelves, and every book just glows, and I want to be inside of that.
Quote examples
Jane Leavy
American Writer
Wherever Mantle went in the great metropolis - Danny's Hideaway, the Latin Quarter, the '21' Club, the Stork Club, El Morocco, Toots Shor's - his preferred drink was waiting when he walked through the door. Reporters waited at his locker for monosyllabic bons mots. Boys clustered by the players' gate, hoping to touch him.
Quote examples
Gina Bellman
New Zealander Actress
Some directors are really strong on action, manhandling you around the set; others are very focused on setting up the camera shots and practically ignore you. You have to get used to introverts, extroverts, directors who clown around for the crew, and the odd one who's monosyllabic.
Quote examples
Boris Johnson
British Politician
My speaking style was criticised by no less an authority than Arnold Schwarzenegger. It was a low moment, my friends, to have my rhetorical skills denounced by a monosyllabic Austrian cyborg.
Quote examples
Jane Leavy
American Writer
There is no free speech in football. Information is parsed by monosyllabic head coaches, who dictate who gets to speak to whom and when.
Quote examples
Thomas McGuane
American Author
Summertime in Montana, I become a monosyllabic baboon. I want to ride with the cowboys, go to brandings, doctor cattle, and train my horses. But in a few months, the snow starts to fly. The days become shorter; the yellow color of interior light becomes delicious. I look at my shelves, and every book just glows, and I want to be inside of that.
Quote examples
Jane Leavy
American Writer
Wherever Mantle went in the great metropolis - Danny's Hideaway, the Latin Quarter, the '21' Club, the Stork Club, El Morocco, Toots Shor's - his preferred drink was waiting when he walked through the door. Reporters waited at his locker for monosyllabic bons mots. Boys clustered by the players' gate, hoping to touch him.
Quote examples
Gina Bellman
New Zealander Actress
Some directors are really strong on action, manhandling you around the set; others are very focused on setting up the camera shots and practically ignore you. You have to get used to introverts, extroverts, directors who clown around for the crew, and the odd one who's monosyllabic.
Quote examples
Boris Johnson
British Politician
My speaking style was criticised by no less an authority than Arnold Schwarzenegger. It was a low moment, my friends, to have my rhetorical skills denounced by a monosyllabic Austrian cyborg.
Quote examples
Jane Leavy
American Writer
There is no free speech in football. Information is parsed by monosyllabic head coaches, who dictate who gets to speak to whom and when.
Example 1 of 5
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