monte: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2formal / technical
Quick answer
What does “monte” mean?
A hill or mountain, often in Spanish or Italian contexts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A hill or mountain, often in Spanish or Italian contexts; a card game based on chance.
1. A geographical term for a mountain, especially in Spanish-speaking regions. 2. A gambling card game, historically popular in the American West, played with Spanish cards.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
As a geographical term, the usage is identical in educated contexts. As the name of a card game, 'monte' is more strongly associated with American frontier history.
Connotations
Connotations of Southern European or Latin American geography, or (especially in AmE) of historic gambling and saloons.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties. In BrE, more likely in geography/travel contexts; in AmE, it also appears in historical/western contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “monte” in a Sentence
(Proper Noun) the + monte + of + [Place]played + monteVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in casino/gaming industry references.
Academic
In geography, history, or cultural studies, especially relating to Latin America or gambling history.
Everyday
Extremely rare except in specific place names (e.g., 'Monte Carlo').
Technical
Used in historical texts on gambling or cartography.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monte”
- Using 'monte' as a common noun for 'mountain' in non-specialised English.
- Mispronouncing it as /moʊnt/ like the English 'mount'.
- Using the Spanish pronunciation /ˈmonte/ in an English sentence.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is a borrowing from Spanish/Italian primarily used in proper names (e.g., Monte Carlo) or historical contexts. The common word is 'mountain' or 'hill'.
It's a notorious confidence trick, not a legitimate game of chance. A dealer uses sleight of hand to hide a card (often a queen) and the spectator is tricked into betting on finding it.
Yes. In British English, it is typically /ˈmɒnti/, rhyming with 'Monty'. In American English, it's often /ˈmɑːnteɪ/, with a final 'ay' sound, closer to the Spanish original.
It depends. In geographical writing about Spanish/Italian-speaking areas, yes. In historical writing about gambling, yes. In general contexts, it's better to use the English equivalent (mountain) unless it's a proper noun.
A hill or mountain, often in Spanish or Italian contexts.
Monte: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɒnti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɑːnteɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “three-card monte (a sleight-of-hand swindle)”
- “monte bank (the gambling table/operator)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MONTE rhymes with 'wanted' – The bandit *wanted* to play *monte* up in the *mount*ains.
Conceptual Metaphor
HIGH STATUS IS HIGH GROUND / DECEPTION IS A GAME OF CHANCE
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'monte' most likely to be used in modern general English?