Monochrome refersindicates what a word or phrase means to something made with one color, or to a black-and-white image. It can also mean a work of art created in shadesdifferent light or dark versions of a color of a singleonly one; not more than one color.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˌmɑnəˈkroʊm/
Easy pronunciation: mon-uh-KROHM (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on the last syllable, chrome.
Adjective sense: having or appearing to have only one color.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Monochrome Meaning
using one color, or looking like it has only one color
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: having or appearing to have only one color
Example: She chose a monochrome outfit in shades of gray.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- monochromatic — Common technical synonym for something made with one color or shades of one color.
- monochromic — Valid but less common than monochromatic.
- monochromous — Technical and rare; works in the same sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Monochrome
Meaning 2
a photo or slide in black and white
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a black-and-white photograph or slide
Example: The museum displayed old monochromes from the 1940s.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- black and white — Works as a direct substitute for this noun sense.
Meaning 3
a painting made in shades of one color
Part of speech: noun
Definition: painting done in a range of tones of a single color
Example: The gallery included a striking blue monochrome.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Monochrome Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- monochromatic
- monochromic
- monochromous
a black-and-white photograph or slide
- black and white
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using monochrome to mean any colorful image or painting.
- Assuming monochrome always means black and white; it can also mean one color or shades of one color.
- Mixing the adjective sense with the noun sense in synonyms lists.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does monochrome mean?
Monochrome can mean something made with one color, a black-and-white photo or slide, or an artwork painted in shades of one color.
What are synonyms of monochrome?
For the adjective sense, good synonyms are monochromatic, monochromic, and monochromous. For the black-and-white noun sense, black and white is the closest match.
Is monochrome the same as black and white?
Sometimes, yes. As a noun, it can refer to a black-and-white photo or slide. But as an adjective, it usually means having one color or appearing to have one color.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.