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monosyllable

Elementary (A2)

IPA: /ˈmɒnəˌsɪləbəl/

KK: /ˈmɒnəˌsɪləbəl/

noun
Definition

A word that has only one syllable.


Example

The word 'cat' is a monosyllable.


Conversation
Sloth A
I learned a new word today: monosyllable.
Sloth B
Oh really? What's it mean?
Sloth A
It refers to words that have just one syllable, like 'cat' or 'dog'.
Sloth B
That's interesting! I never thought about how many monosyllable words we use.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
monosyllabic
single
one
Antonyms
polysyllable
multisyllable
disyllable
Root Explanation

Monosyllable → It is formed from "mono-" (from Greek "monos", meaning single or one) and "syllable" (from Greek "syllabē", meaning a part or a grouping of sounds). The word "monosyllable" refers to a word that consists of a single syllable.

Memory Tip

Think of 'mono-' meaning 'one' and 'syllable' as a grouping of sounds — a monosyllable is simply a word made up of one sound group.

Visually Confused Words
octosyllable
hypermonosyllable
syllable
oligosyllable
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