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monosyllable

[ mon-uh-sil-uh-buhl ]

noun

  1. a word of one syllable, as yes or no.


monosyllable

/ ˈmɒnəˌsɪləbəl /

noun

  1. a word of one syllable, esp one used as a sentence
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˌmonoˈsyllaˌbism, noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of monosyllable1

First recorded in 1525–35; mono- + syllable
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Example Sentences

Not the babbling single syllables driven by the desire for food and the surprise of monosyllables falling from his hungry lips.

Giorgetti tends to communicate in gruff monosyllables and unlike his recent predecessors in the role, he speaks little English.

From Reuters

In the titular opening line of “All Up In Your Mind,” she delivers her monosyllables in a skull-penetrating staccato, then burrows in deep, the way only the best pop singers can.

The acting here is quite good, particularly by Kaluuya, who exudes the strong, silent air of a modern Gary Cooper, all shrugs and monosyllables, and Palmer, who is his much more expressive foil.

"His breath is also improving, this can be heard in his voice which is gaining in power. Phrases where he communicates only in monosyllables tend to be spaced out."

From BBC

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monosyllabismmonosymmetric