monochromatic

English

Etymology

From mono- +‎ chromatic, mono- from Ancient Greek μόνος (mónos, “alone, only, sole, single”), chromatic from Ancient Greek χρῶμα (khrôma, “color”).

Adjective

monochromatic (not comparable)

1. Having only one color, represented by differing hues and tints. For example shades in a black and white television.
2. Perceptive of only one color; unable to distinguish colors; total color blindness.
3. (figuratively) Plain, dull, lifeless.
   • 1982 April 24, Michael Rumaker, “Zephyrs”, in Gay Community News, page 5:

     Let's not […] lose our sense of boyish fun and daring, but let's at least begin to assert ourselves in the world, to impose our vision of sex and affection and spirit more and more upon the monochromatic Fatherland.

Synonyms

• (having only one color): monochrome, monocolor, monocoloured, unicolor, unicolored
• (lifeless): See Thesaurus:boring

Antonyms

• (antonym(s) of “single colored”): polychromatic, multicolored, colorful, full color.
• (antonym(s) of “single color perceptiveness”): polychromatic.
• (antonym(s) of “lifeless”): lively, colorful, vivid.

Related terms

• monochromacy
• monochromat

Translations

having only one colour — see monochrome