MONO Words: The One-Prefix to Rule Them All
MONO comes from Greek monos, meaning "one" or "single," and it's one of the most productive prefixes in English. MONOLOGUE (one speaker), MONOPOLY (one seller), MONOCLE (one lens), MONOTONE (one tone), MONOGAMY (one spouse) — the pattern is clear and consistent. What makes MONO special for word games is length. Most MONO- words clock in at 8 letters or more, putting them squarely in bingo territory for Scrabble. Landing a MONO- word on a triple word score with the 50-point bingo bonus is the kind of play that ends arguments about who's better at the game.
Crossword constructors use MONO- words frequently because they have predictable letter patterns and clear, clue-friendly definitions. "Single-lens eyepiece" = MONOCLE. "Tedious sameness" = MONOTONY. "One-track audio" = MONO. The standalone word MONO also means mononucleosis (the illness) in informal English, which gives constructors another clue angle. In fact, MONO as a 4-letter word scores just 6 points in Scrabble, but it's a fantastic building block — add -LITH, -POLY, -RAIL, or -TONE and you've got a powerhouse.
Player strategy: If you're holding M, O, N, O on your rack, start looking for MONO- extensions immediately. The double O is a liability otherwise (too many vowels), but with MONO- it becomes a strength. Check words starting with Q for another prefix pattern (QU-) that transforms difficult tiles into scoring opportunities. For other Greek prefixes in word games, see words ending in N for -TION words that often follow MONO in compound forms, and words starting with XI for more Greek-origin word game entries.
FAQ
What are the best MONO- words for Scrabble?
MONOCLE (11 points + bingo bonus), MONKFISH (if you count MONK as a variant root — it's not MONO), and MONOTYPE (13 points + bonus) are strong picks. For raw efficiency, shorter plays like MONODY (12 points, 6 letters) pack value without needing a bingo. Check words ending in L for MONOCLE-like words where L sits at the end.
How is MONO different from UNI as a prefix?
Both mean "one," but MONO is Greek and UNI is Latin. In practice, they're often interchangeable (MONOLINGUAL/UNILINGUAL), but some words only use one form. MONOPOLY, MONOCLE, and MONOTONE are always MONO-. UNIFORM, UNIQUE, and UNIVERSE are always UNI-. For the UNI/UN family, see words ending in ER where many UN- and MONO- derivatives land.
Does MONO appear in crosswords as a standalone word?
Yes, MONO appears both as a prefix indicator and as a standalone answer. Common clue angles: "LP format" (mono vs. stereo), "Kissing disease, informally" (mononucleosis), or "Single-channel audio." It's 4 letters, which fits neatly into grid corners. For other short words with outsized crossword presence, explore words ending in OX where FOX and BOX are grid staples.