monochrome

[ mon-uh-krohm ]
See synonyms for monochrome on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a painting or drawing in different shades of a single color.

  2. the art or technique of producing such a painting or drawing.

  1. the state or condition of being painted, decorated, etc., in shades of a single color.

adjective
  1. being or made in the shades of a single color: a blue monochrome seascape.

  2. having the images reproduced in tones of gray: monochrome television.

Origin of monochrome

1
From the Medieval Latin word monochrōma, dating back to 1655–65. See mono-, -chrome

Other words from monochrome

  • mon·o·chro·mic, mon·o·chro·mi·cal, adjective
  • mon·o·chro·mi·cal·ly, adverb
  • mon·o·chrom·ist, noun
  • mon·o·chro·my, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for monochrome

monochrome

/ (ˈmɒnəˌkrəʊm) /


noun
  1. a black-and-white photograph or transparency

  2. photog black and white

    • a painting, drawing, etc, done in a range of tones of a single colour

    • the technique or art of this

  1. (modifier) executed in or resembling monochrome: a monochrome print

adjective
  1. devoid of any distinctive or stimulating characteristics

Origin of monochrome

1
C17: via Medieval Latin from Greek monokhrōmos of one colour
  • Also called (for senses 3, 4): monotint

Derived forms of monochrome

  • monochromic or monochromical, adjective
  • monochromist, noun

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