monosyllabic

[ mon-uh-si-lab-ik ]

adjective

1. having only one syllable, as the word no.
2. having a vocabulary composed primarily of monosyllables or short, simple words.
3. very brief; terse or blunt:

   a monosyllabic reply.

monosyllabic

/ ˌmɒnəsɪˈlæbɪk /

adjective

1. (of a word) containing only one syllable
2. characterized by monosyllables; curt

   a monosyllabic answer

Derived Forms

• ˌmonosylˈlabically, adverb

Other Words From

• mono·syl·labi·cal·ly adverb
• mon·o·syl·la·bic·i·ty [mon-, uh, -sil-, uh, -, bis, -i-tee], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of monosyllabic¹

1815–25; < Medieval Latin monosyllabicus, equivalent to Late Latin monosyllab ( on ) monosyllable (< Greek monosýllabon, noun use of neuter of monosýllabos monosyllabic) + -icus -ic

Example Sentences

Her responses were “monosyllabic” and she was “not totally cognisant of what was going on”, court documents showed, and at times could barely hold her head up straight and was in pain from muscle spasms – a side effect of the medications.

From BBC

Kate McKinnon and a monosyllabic cat make mayonnaise fly off the shelves in a high-concept spot that has something to do with food waste.

From New York Times

“It is Bradford’s job to coax audible whimsies from these writers, who, as a group, often communicate by means of monosyllabic utterings,” Majeski wrote, describing the writers’ reaction to interview notes for a karate team that included a cue for someone named Dr. U to break a cinder block with his head.

From Los Angeles Times

Ice Spice has a way with a hilarious, monosyllabic insult hurled like a blunt instrument.

From New York Times

Stroll then used an expletive in a monosyllabic TV interview afterwards, in which he said just seven words in response to three questions.

From BBC