monochromatic

[ mon-uh-kroh-mat-ik, -oh-kruh- ]

adjective

1. of or having one color.
2. of, relating to, or having tones of one color in addition to the ground hue:

   monochromatic pottery.

3. Optics. pertaining to light of one color or to radiation of a single wavelength or narrow range of wavelengths.
4. Ophthalmology. of or relating to monochromatism.

monochromatic

/ ˌmɒnəʊˈkrəʊɪk; ˌmɒnəʊkrəʊˈmætɪk /

adjective

1. Alsohomochromatic (of light or other electromagnetic radiation) having only one wavelength
2. physics (of moving particles) having only one kinetic energy
3. of or relating to monochromatism

noun

1. a person who is totally colour-blind

monochromatic

/ mŏn′ə-krō-măt′ĭk /

1. Consisting of a single wavelength of light or other radiation. Lasers, for example, usually produce monochromatic light.
2. Having or appearing to have only one color.
3. Compare polychromatic

Derived Forms

• ˌmonochroˈmatically, adverb

Other Words From

• mono·chro·mati·cal·ly adverb
• mon·o·chro·ma·tic·i·ty [mon-, uh, -kroh-m, uh, -, tis, -i-tee], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of monochromatic¹

First recorded in 1815–25; mono- + chromatic

Example Sentences

“With the turquoise hair, I thought a monochromatic top would work brilliantly,” Snell says.

From Los Angeles Times

Above, a large skylight is adorned with hundreds of suspended corn cobs, their illuminated forms offering one of the few sources of light in the dark and moody, monochromatic space.

From Salon

For Episode 7, “A Stick of Time,” which sees Toranaga’s half-brother enter the fray, an almost monochromatic color palette was introduced with the entire episode devoid of sunlight.

From Los Angeles Times

He introduces her in a monochromatic, wintery palette.

From Los Angeles Times

These were some of Kelly’s signature panels: bold, monochromatic shapes of saturated color in oil on canvas.

From New York Times

Related Words

• monochrome