mono|tone /mɒ nətoʊn/ (monotones )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing, oft in N ] If someone speaks in a monotone , their voice does not vary at all in tone or loudness and so it is not interesting to listen to. □ The evidence was read out to the court in a dull monotone.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A monotone sound or surface does not have any variation in its tone or colour. □ He was seen on TV delivering platitudes about the crisis in a monotone voice.
mo|noto|nous /mənɒ tənəs/ ADJ Something that is monotonous is very boring because it has a regular, repeated pattern which never changes. □ It's monotonous work, like most factory jobs. ● mo|noto|nous|ly ADV □ The rain dripped monotonously from the trees.
mo|noto|ny /mənɒ təni/ N‑UNCOUNT The monotony of something is the fact that it never changes and is boring. □ [+ of ] A night on the town may help to break the monotony of the week.
mon|ox|ide /mənɒ ksa I d/ → see carbon monoxide
Mon|sig|nor /mɒnsiː njɔː r / (Monsignors ) N‑TITLE ; N‑COUNT [usu sing] Monsignor is the title of a priest of high rank in the Catholic Church. □ Monsignor Jaime Goncalves was also there.
mon|soon /mɒnsuː n/ (monsoons )
1 N‑COUNT The monsoon is the season in Southern Asia when there is a lot of very heavy rain. □ …the end of the monsoon.
2 N‑PLURAL Monsoon rains are sometimes referred to as the monsoons . □ In Bangladesh, the monsoons have started.
mon|ster /mɒ nstə r / (monsters )
1 N‑COUNT A monster is a large imaginary creature that looks very ugly and frightening.
2 N‑COUNT A monster is something which is extremely large, especially something which is difficult to manage or which is unpleasant. □ …the monster which is now the London marathon.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Monster means extremely and surprisingly large. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ The film will be a monster hit.
4 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a monster , you mean that they are cruel, frightening, or evil.
mon|stros|ity /mɒnstrɒ s I ti/ (monstrosities ) N‑COUNT If you describe something, especially something large, as a monstrosity , you mean that you think it is extremely ugly. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Most of the older buildings have been torn down and replaced by modern monstrosities.
mon|strous /mɒ nstrəs/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a situation or event as monstrous , you mean that it is extremely shocking or unfair. □ She endured the monstrous behaviour for years. ● mon|strous|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ Your husband's family has behaved monstrously.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe an unpleasant thing as monstrous , you mean that it is extremely large in size or extent. [EMPHASIS ] □ …a monstrous copper edifice. ● mon|strous|ly ADV [ADV adj/-ed] □ It would be monstrously unfair.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as monstrous , you mean that it is extremely frightening because it appears unnatural or ugly. □ …the film's monstrous fantasy figure.
mon|tage /mɒntɑː ʒ, mɒ ntɑːʒ/ (montages ) N‑COUNT A montage is a picture, film, or piece of music which consists of several different items that are put together, often in an unusual combination or sequence. □ …a photo montage of some of Italy's top television stars.
month ◆◆◆ /mʌ nθ/ (months )
1 N‑COUNT A month is one of the twelve periods of time that a year is divided into, for example January or February. □ The trial is due to begin next month. □ …an exhibition which opens this month at London's Design Museum. □ I send him fifteen dollars a month.
2 N‑COUNT A month is a period of about four weeks. □ She was here for a month. □ Over the next several months I met most of her family. □ …a month's unlimited train travel.
month|ly ◆◇◇ /mʌ nθli/ (monthlies )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A monthly event or publication happens or appears every month. □ Many people are now having trouble making their monthly house payments. □ …Young Guard, a monthly journal founded in 1922. ● ADV [ADV after v] Monthly is also an adverb. □ In some areas the property price can rise monthly.
2 N‑COUNT [oft in names] You can refer to a publication that is published monthly as a monthly . □ …Scallywag, a London satirical monthly.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Monthly quantities or rates relate to a period of one month. □ The monthly rent for a two-bedroom flat would be £953.33.
monu|ment /mɒ njʊmənt/ (monuments )
1 N‑COUNT A monument is a large structure, usually made of stone, which is built to remind people of an event in history or of a famous person.
2 N‑COUNT A monument is something such as a castle or bridge which was built a very long time ago and is regarded as an important part of a country's history. □ [+ of ] …the ancient monuments of England
3 N‑COUNT If you describe something as a monument to someone's qualities, you mean that it is a very good example of the results or effects of those qualities. □ [+ to ] By his international achievements he leaves a fitting monument to his beliefs.
monu|men|tal /mɒ njʊme nt ə l/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can use monumental to emphasize the size or extent of something. [EMPHASIS ] □ …a series of monumental disappointments. ● monu|men|tal|ly ADV [usu ADV adj/-ed, oft ADV after v] □ Suddenly it was monumentally successful. □ …the most monumentally hideous night of my life.