# monotonous

/məˈnɑtənəs/ (US) · /mənˈɒtənəs/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/monotonous
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

describing something that is very boring because it does not change or vary at all. You use this to talk about a job, a sound, or a pattern that feels the same every day.

For teachers: lacking variety or change; characterized by a single, unchanging pattern or sound. Often used to describe repetitive tasks or environments that fail to engage the senses.

## Examples

- The long drive on the highway was monotonous.
- Working the same shift every day at the factory became so monotonous that he started looking for a new job.
- The critic argued that the film's monotonous pacing and lack of narrative tension made it a difficult experience for even the most patient viewers.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.