monochrome

Everyday

1. Using only one colour or shades of one colour, especially black, white and grey. tree →
2. (noun) A picture, photo or screen in black and white or in one colour. tree →
3. Dull and without variety, as in "a monochrome town". tree →

In the lessons

In art lessons, a monochrome painting uses tints and shades of just one colour. In science and technology, old TVs and screens were monochrome. In everyday talk, "monochrome" outfits are all one colour. In stories it can describe a dull, grey place or mood.

Examples

• Old photos are often monochrome, black and white. tree →
• For art we made a monochrome painting using only shades of blue. tree →
• Grandad's first TV was monochrome. tree →
• The film was shot in monochrome to look old-fashioned. tree →
• She wore a stylish monochrome outfit, all black. tree →
• The rainy town looked monochrome and sad. tree →
• A monochrome printer prints only in black. tree →

Note

From Greek "mono" (one) + "chroma" (colour). Uncountable phrase "in monochrome". Spelling "colour" in the UK, "color" in the US, but "monochrome" is the same everywhere. Not the same as "monotone" (one tone of voice or sound).