monocle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Literary/Historical
Quick answer
What does “monocle” mean?
A single eyeglass, kept in position by the muscles around the eye, used for viewing one eye at a time.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A single eyeglass, kept in position by the muscles around the eye, used for viewing one eye at a time.
A symbol of old-fashioned, aristocratic, or eccentric upper-class style; an antiquated optical aid with strong cultural connotations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The object is culturally associated more strongly with British (and French) upper-class caricatures.
Connotations
Both varieties associate it with historical, aristocratic, or eccentric figures. Possibly a slightly more comedic or cartoonish connotation in American usage.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, used primarily in historical or descriptive contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “monocle” in a Sentence
[Subject] + wore/raised/dropped/polished + a/the + monocle.[Subject] + peered/looked + through + (his/her) + monocle.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “monocle” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The colonel would monocle the dispatch with a look of utter contempt.
- He monocled the offending paragraph before letting out a harrumph.
American English
- The critic monocled the artwork before pronouncing it 'quaint'.
- She monocled the contract, searching for loopholes.
adverb
British English
- He examined it monoclely, with one eye squeezed shut.
- She peered monocle-like at the fine print.
American English
- He looked at her monoclely, a habit from his youth.
- The inspector viewed the scene monocle-style.
adjective
British English
- His monocle gaze was intimidating.
- A monocle gentleman surveyed the room.
American English
- She gave him a monocle stare of disapproval.
- The monocle affectation seemed out of place.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused. Potential metaphorical use for 'a narrow or singular focus'.
Academic
Used in historical, cultural, or fashion studies texts.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Used descriptively or humorously.
Technical
Used in optics history or vintage accessory collecting.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “monocle”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “monocle”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monocle”
- Using 'monocles' as a plural for regular glasses. *'I can't find my monocles.' (Incorrect). 'Monocle' is a singular countable noun: 'He has two monocles in different cases.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but only to refer to multiple individual single-lens glasses (e.g., 'He owned several monocles for different occasions'). It is not a plural for a pair of spectacles.
A monocle is a single lens held in the eye socket. Pince-nez are a pair of spectacles that clip onto the bridge of the nose with no arms over the ears.
Extremely rarely. They are primarily used today as fashion statements, theatrical props, or by very few individuals who prefer them for specific visual tasks, often due to historical re-enactment or personal eccentricity.
Not in standard, formal English. Using 'monocle' as a verb (e.g., 'He monocled the document') is a creative, metaphorical, or humorous extension, implying the act of examining something with the haughty scrutiny associated with monocle-wearers.
A single eyeglass, kept in position by the muscles around the eye, used for viewing one eye at a time.
Monocle is usually formal/literary/historical in register.
Monocle: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɒn.ə.kəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɑː.nə.kəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(look at someone) as if through a monocle (to view with haughty disdain)”
- “drop one's monocle (to be shocked or surprised, often humorously)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MONarch wearing a single eyeglass - a MONocle.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MONOCLE IS A BADGE OF ARROGANCE/ECCENTRICITY (He viewed the proposal through the monocle of his own privilege.)
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate description of a monocle's cultural connotation?