monotone voice

Meaning

This phrase describes a way of speaking where the pitch, volume, and tone of the voice remain completely flat and unchanging. It is often used to describe boring speeches, robotic characters in movies, or people who express no emotion when they talk. It usually carries a slightly negative or critical connotation, implying boredom or lack of enthusiasm.

Examples

• The professor spoke in such a monotone voice that half the class fell asleep.

  The professor spoke in such a monotone voice that half the class fell asleep.

• He read the entire script in a flat, monotone voice without any expression.

  He read the entire script in a flat, monotone voice without any expression.

• The voice actor used a monotone voice to portray the robotic assistant.

  The voice actor used a monotone voice to portray the robotic assistant.

• It is hard to stay focused when the narrator has a completely monotone voice.

  It is hard to stay focused when the narrator has a completely monotone voice.

• She tried to sound excited, but her tired, monotone voice gave her away.

  She tried to sound excited, but her tired, monotone voice gave her away.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He speaks with a monotonous voice.

  ✓ He speaks in a monotone voice.

  While 'monotonous' is an adjective that describes the overall experience (a monotonous speech), we typically use 'monotone' as a noun adjunct modifying 'voice' (in a monotone voice).

• ✗ She has a very monotone.

  ✓ She speaks in a monotone.

  'Monotone' can be a noun, but you cannot 'have a monotone' directly without specifying 'voice' or using the preposition 'in'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The automated phone system answered in a cold, ___.

  💡 A flat, expressionless way of speaking.

  Show answer

  monotone voice

• If you speak in a ___, your audience will quickly lose interest in your presentation.

  💡 Speech without any variation in pitch or tone.

  Show answer

  monotone voice