# monotony

/məˈnɑtəni/ (US) · /mənˈɒtəni/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/monotony
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

the feeling of being bored because something is the same all the time. It describes a situation that lacks variety and is very repetitive.

For teachers: the quality of being monotonous; a state of tedious uniformity or lack of variety. Often used to describe repetitive tasks or environments that fail to provide stimulation.

## Examples

- The long drive across the desert was filled with monotony.
- After working the same shift for three months, the monotony of the job started to wear on his patience.
- The architect's design was criticized for its lack of aesthetic variety, as the repetitive use of identical windows and doors created a sense of visual monotony that failed to engage the viewer.

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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.