English Dictionary

Definition of “monosyllabic

monosyllabic (ˌmɒnəsɪˈlæbɪkPronunciation for monosyllabic

Definitions

adjective

  1. (of a word) containing only one syllable
  2. characterized by monosyllables; curt  ⇒ a monosyllabic answer 

Alternative Forms

ˌmonosylˈlabically adverb

Usage examples

  • In its place came moods that swung from the monosyllabic to the garrulous, the glacial to the crazed.
    Clive Barker, THE GREAT AND SECRET SHOW (2001)
  • And his contribution to the first press conference he participated in took the form of monosyllabic answers.
    Business Today (2000)
  • We viewed everyone with suspicion and were monosyllabic and territorial about our spot on the jetty rails.
    The Advertiser, Sunday Mail (2004)
  • A blushing, sweating, monosyllabic dinner would have been followed by the hell of being looked over, judged on appearance and rejected.
    Times, Sunday Times (2004)
  • In Pakistan, some men are so monosyllabic , they're happy for women to do all the talking.
    Gifford, Zerbanoo, The Golden Thread - Asian experiences of post-Raj Britain (1990)

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