mono-

Mono a Mono

The prefix mono- and its variant mon- mean “one.” Here is an anything but monotonous rootcast to teach you about these singular prefixes!

Let’s first take a look at the prefix mono-, which means “one.” In the game Monopoly, for instance, the point of the game is to have “one” player eventually be the “one” controller of all the property on the board. A monologue is spoken by a comedian who is the “one” person speaking. Usually a train travels along two tracks; in contrast, a railway system that only uses one rail is a monorail.

Has your teacher ever spoken in a monotone, over and over again in just “one” boring tone? Class might get pretty monotonous if you had a teacher like that! Imagine if this same teacher only used monosyllabic words, or words with only “one” syllable!

Perhaps you’ve heard of people contracting the disease mono, also known as “the kissing disease.” Mono is short for mononucleosis, a disease with symptoms of extreme fatigue and signalled by a large concentration of white blood cells that have “single” or “one” nuclei.

The prefix mono- can also exist as mon-, which also means “one.” For instance, a monk leads a solitary or single life, content by being just “one” and so not getting married. A monarch, such as “one” queen or king, presides over a monarchy, a system of government ruled by “one” ruler.

You can now go mono a mono or “one on one” with any word containing the prefixes mono- or mon-, and not have to worry about being made a monkey by them!

1. monopoly: control by ‘one’
2. monologue: speech given by ‘one’ person
3. monorail: a train which uses ‘one’ rail instead of two tracks
4. monotone: using ‘one’ tone only
5. monotonous: of using ‘one’ tone only
6. monosyllable: ‘one’ syllable
7. mono: disease signalled by a large concentration of white blood cells that have ‘one’ nucleus
8. monk: man committed to living as ‘one’ versus becoming married
9. monarch: ‘one’ ruler
10. monarchy: system of government using ‘one’ ruler

Usage

• monolith

  An organization or system that is a monolith is extremely large; additionally, it is unwilling or very slow to change or adopt something new.

• monastic

  A monastic lifestyle is very simple—it is not given to excess in any way; rather, it is a lifestyle of self-denial.

• monochrome

  A monochrome painting comprises different shades of only one color or is done in black and white.

• monotonous

  A monotonous activity is so repetitious that it quickly becomes boring and dull.

• mono

  designating sound transmission or recording or reproduction over a single channel

• monochromatic

  of or relating to monochromatism

• monogamy

  having only one spouse at a time

• monogram

  a graphic symbol consisting of 2 or more letters combined (usually your initials)

• monolingual

  using or knowing only one language

• monolithic

  imposing in size or bulk or solidity

• monologue

  speech you make to yourself

• monopolize

  have and control fully and exclusively

• monopoly

  (economics) a market in which there are many buyers but only one seller

• monorail

  a railway having a single track

• monosyllable

  a word or utterance of one syllable

• monotheism

  belief in a single God

• monotone

  of a sequence or function

• monotony

  the quality of wearisome constancy, routine, and lack of variety