monitory: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2)Formal, literary, official
Quick answer
What does “monitory” mean?
giving a warning or serving as a caution.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
giving a warning or serving as a caution
characterized by or conveying admonition; serving to advise or notify, often in an official or formal context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similarly rare and formal in both varieties, though slightly more likely to appear in British legal or ecclesiastical contexts.
Connotations
Conveys seriousness, often associated with official pronouncements, prophetic warnings, or moral admonishment.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday speech; found in formal writing, historical texts, legal documents, and religious discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “monitory” in a Sentence
Adjective + Noun (e.g., a monitory letter)Be + monitory (e.g., His look was monitory.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “monitory” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The bishop's monitory letter urged the congregation to adhere to traditional values.
- She shot him a monitory glance across the dinner table.
American English
- The judge's monitory comments were aimed at future defendants.
- The report served a monitory function for the entire industry.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in formal compliance communications: 'The regulator issued a monitory statement on market practices.'
Academic
Used in literary criticism, history, or theology to describe texts with a warning purpose.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Can appear in legal contexts ('monitory judgement') or ecclesiastical contexts ('monitory letters').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monitory”
- Using it as a synonym for 'monitored' (e.g., 'a monitored system').
- Confusing it with 'mandatory'.
- Overusing it where 'warning' or 'cautionary' would be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare, formal adjective. Its noun form 'monitor' and synonyms like 'warning' or 'cautionary' are far more common.
No, 'monitory' is only an adjective. The related noun is 'monitor' or 'admonition'.
They are very close synonyms. 'Admonitory' often implies criticism or reproof alongside the warning, while 'monitory' can be more neutral, focusing on the act of notification or caution.
No. The related verb is 'to monitor' (to observe) or 'to admonish' (to warn or reprimand).
giving a warning or serving as a caution.
Monitory is usually formal, literary, official in register.
Monitory: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɒnɪt(ə)ri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɑːnɪtɔːri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to 'monitory'. Related: 'a cautionary tale'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MONITOR in a school corridor – its job is to WATCH and WARN. MONITORY describes something that does just that: gives a warning.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS A WATCHFUL EYE (The word conceptualizes a warning as emanating from a position of oversight.)
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'monitory' most appropriately used?