What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
monotony
Example
The monotony of the daily commute was starting to wear on him. [monotony: noun]
Example
The speaker's voice had a certain monotony that made it hard to stay focused. [monotony: noun]
repetition
Example
The song's chorus had a catchy repetition that got stuck in my head. [repetition: noun]
Example
He kept repeating the same mistake over and over again. [repeating: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Repetition is more commonly used than monotony in everyday language. Repetition is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while monotony is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between monotony and repetition?
Both monotony and repetition are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
