Word part · Greek root
Mono root words: meaning and 18 examples
In short
The Greek root mono (from Greek) means "one, or alone". It is also spelled mon. Words with it include monarch, monarchs, monarchy, monarchies, monogram and monograms. Shortens to mon before a vowel, as in monarch.
- Part
- mono
- Meaning
- one, or alone
- Origin
- Greek
- Also spelled
- mon
- Words listed
- 18
Shortens to mon before a vowel, as in monarch. It is the Greek partner of Latin uni: a monorail and a unicycle both run on one.
Words with the Greek root mono
The list runs from shorter, common words to longer ones. The bands are a rough guide built from syllable count and how common each word is in our word list, not a grade-level standard. Read each word, then its word sum.
Colors:prefixroot or basesuffix
Start here: short, common words (about grades 3 and 4)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| monarch | mon (root or base)+arch (root or base)→monarch | one person who rules a country, such as a king or queen |
Next: longer words (about grades 5 and 6)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| monogram | mono (root or base)+gram (root or base)→monogram | the letters of a name drawn together as one design |
| monograms | mono (root or base)+gram (root or base)+s (suffix)→monograms | more than one monogram |
| monorail | mono (root or base)+rail (root or base)→monorail | a train that runs on one rail |
| monotone | mono (root or base)+tone (root or base)→monotone | one sound that does not go up or down |
| monoplane | mono (root or base)+plane (root or base)→monoplane | an airplane with one set of wings |
More words: monochrome, monocle
Stretch: long or less common words (about grades 7 and 8)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| monarchs | mon (root or base)+arch (root or base)+s (suffix)→monarchs | more than one monarch |
| monarchy | mon (root or base)+archy (root or base)→monarchy | a country ruled by one king or queen |
| monarchies | mon (root or base)+archy (root or base)+es (suffix)→monarchieschange y to i | more than one monarchy |
| monologue | mono (root or base)+logue (root or base)→monologue | a long speech given by one person |
| monologues | mono (root or base)+logue (root or base)+s (suffix)→monologues | more than one monologue |
| monotonous | mono (root or base)+tone (root or base)+ous (suffix)→monotonousdrop the e | dull because it stays the same the whole time |
| monosyllable | mono (root or base)+syllable (root or base)→monosyllable | a word with only one syllable |
More words: monopoly, monopolies, monotony
How do you teach the root mono?
Mono means one, and most words in this family are easy to picture, which makes it a good first Greek root. A monorail runs on one rail. A monologue is one person talking. A monotone voice stays on one note. Line up three or four of these and have the student draw a quick sketch of each. Then show monarch, where mono shortens to mon before a vowel, and ask what the one is: one ruler.
A quick routine
Say, "Mono means one. Find the one." Show monorail and the student says "one rail." Show monoplane, "one set of wings." Show monosyllable, "one syllable," and ask for an example, such as cat. Then read monotonous aloud in a flat voice and ask what one thing never changes. The student usually laughs and says "your voice." Dictate monotone and monorail.
What do students mix up with mono?
Students sometimes read mono with a long o in every word and stumble on monopoly and monotonous, where the stress moves and the first o sounds like the o in on. Read the whole word aloud once so they hear it. Watch the look-alikes too. Monkey, money and monster have m-o-n and nothing to do with one. If one doesn't fit the meaning, it isn't this root.
Some of these words change spelling where the parts join. The spelling rules pages cover dropping e, doubling and changing y to i. For the sounds inside these words, see the phonics word lists. Routines that fit: meanings of prefixes and suffixes, circle the parts, read the base and flexible routine for big words.
Questions people ask
What does the root mono mean?
Mono means "one, or alone". It is a Greek root, also spelled mon. Shortens to mon before a vowel, as in monarch. It is the Greek partner of Latin uni: a monorail and a unicycle both run on one.
What are some words with the root mono?
Start with monarch. Then move to monogram, monograms, monarchs and monarchy. This page lists 18 words in all, most with a word sum that shows the parts.
What is the difference between mono and uni?
Both mean one. Mono is Greek and uni is Latin, so each tends to join parts from its own language: monorail and monologue, but unicycle and uniform. Knowing one helps with the other.
Related word parts
- uni-one
- bi-two, or every two
- polymany
- archrule, or chief
- logueword, or speech
- gramsomething written or drawn
- -ousfull of, or having
Terms on this page: morpheme, root, prefix, suffix, base word, word sum, morphology.
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