monotonously
gb/mənətənˈɔsli/ us/mənətənˈɔsli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
C1
property
1
in a boring, unchanging way
In a way that is always the same and boring.
Usage pattern:
[something] happens/continues monotonously
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with monotony (a noun) or monotonous (an adjective). Monotonously describes how something happens.
Synonyms
repetitively (Focuses on repeating again and again; less emotional than monotonously.)
|
tediously (Emphasizes that it feels tiring or annoying; more subjective.)
Antonyms
variously (Suggests change and variety instead of sameness.)
Collocations
monotonously repetitive
|monotonously regular
|monotonously predictable
|monotonously dull
|monotonously the same
|monotonously routine
|monotonously quiet
|monotonously slow
|monotonously steady
|monotonously repeating
Themes
daily_life
|emotions
|work
Examples
- The days passed monotonously, with the same tasks from morning to night.
- The landscape stayed monotonously flat for miles.
- He found the job monotonously repetitive after a few weeks.
Learner examples
- My work is monotonously the same every day.
- The music played monotonously for a long time.
adverb
C1
property
2
in a flat, even voice
In a voice that does not change and sounds flat.
Usage pattern:
[someone] speaks/reads/drone(s) monotonously
Common mistake:
Monotonously describes the manner of speaking; monotone is more common as a noun phrase (e.g., 'in a monotone').
Synonyms
flatly (Highlights lack of emotion or pitch; can also mean bluntly in other contexts.)
|
dully (Stresses that the voice sounds lifeless or boring.)
Antonyms
expressively (With emotion and variation in tone.)
Collocations
speak monotonously
|read monotonously
|drone on monotonously
|reply monotonously
|recite monotonously
|talk monotonously
|deliver (a speech) monotonously
|lecture monotonously
Themes
communication
|emotions
Examples
- She read the instructions monotonously, without looking up.
- The announcer spoke monotonously, making it hard to stay focused.
- He answered monotonously, as if he didn't care.
Learner examples
- He speaks monotonously.
- She read the story monotonously.
Grammar
Dictionary form
monotonously
IPA
GB/mənətənˈɔsli/
US/mənətənˈɔsli/
Syllables & stress
mono - ton - ously (3 syllables)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: monotonously
- Plural: monotonouslies
Word family
Forms
monotonouslies
noun
Core family
monotonous
adjective B2
monotony
noun B2
Related words
monotone
noun
Advanced or less common
monotonic
adjective
monotonically
adverb
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.