adjective

monotonous

muh-NAH-tuh-nus/məˈnɑːtənəs/

Dull because of repetition or lack of variety.

Working through the long row of identical folders is monotonous.

A tired Black office worker faces a long row of identical plain folders and repetitive work.

Etymology

monoGreeksingle, alone

+tonGreektone

+ousEnglishcharacterized by

The image is of a single, unchanging tone. A word first used for unvaried sound broadened to describe anything whose lack of variety makes it tiresome.

In context

Back to Boxing9:10

Swinging an axe for hours in the heat or cold wasn't glamorous, it was monotonous, brutal work that tested patience

How Old-School Fighters REALLY Trained

More examples

Her monotonous voice makes it hard to stay awake.
Fresh herbs make our usual meals less monotonous.
The drive becomes monotonous after miles of empty highway.

Forms

monotonous

monotony noun — Dullness caused by repetition or sameness.

monotonously adverb — In a dull, unvarying manner.

Similar words

repetitive: Emphasizes repeated actions or elements, which are not necessarily dull.
tedious: Emphasizes tiresome length or effort rather than lack of variety.
unvaried: Describes a lack of change without necessarily suggesting boredom.