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μόνος

mónos

G3441 determiner

SILEX Entry

Root μόν- to be alone, to be only, to be single

Definition

Being the sole or exclusive one in a class, set apart by uniqueness or lack of accompaniment; in specific contexts, describing someone or something as alone, without others present, or being the only one of its kind. Extends to notions of singleness (one and no more), exclusivity, and, by implication, being without addition or accompaniment. Used both for persons and things.

Semantic Range

alone, only, solitary, sole, by oneself, unique, without accompaniment, exclusive

Root / Etymology

Derived from the Greek root μόν-, related to the notion of oneness or singleness. Its precise further etymology is uncertain; connection to the verb μένω ('to remain') is suggested due to similarity in form but is considered uncertain by most modern lexicographers.

Historical & Contextual Notes

μόνος occurs frequently in classical, Hellenistic, and Koine Greek, with its foundational sense of 'alone' or 'only' stable across periods. In the Septuagint and New Testament, μόνος describes unique persons (e.g., God as 'the only God'), individuals in isolation, or actions performed by oneself. The English translations 'alone,' 'only,' and 'by oneself' capture primary senses, but μόνος can also express exclusive identity (e.g., 'the only one worthy,' 'the only way'), or distinguish something from a larger set ('he alone entered' = 'no others entered'). Contrast with μέν, which marks affirmation, or μέντοι, marking contrast, μόνος is strictly about exclusivity in number or identity. The word appears in philosophical, legal, and poetic texts as well as mundane speech, maintaining core meaning but flexibly applying to both objects and abstract situations. Unlike some English uses, μόνος never implies emotional loneliness unless specified by context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from μένω; remaining, i.e. sole or single; by implication, mere:--alone, only, by themselves.

Root Family

μόνος (monos) — alone, only, single, sole

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3441-08 μόνος monos PRO.I NOM M SG alone the only one 21
G3441-07 μόνον monon DET ACC M SG only only 7
G3441-04 μόνῳ mono DET DAT M SG only to the only one 7
G3441-05 μόνοι monoi DET NOM M PL only alone (masculine plural) 4
G3441-10 μόνους monous PRO.I ACC M PL alone alone (masculine plural accusative) 3
G3441-09 μόνου monou DET GEN M SG only of the sole one 2
G3441-02 μόνας monas PRO.I ACC F PL alone only (feminine plural) 2
G3441-06 μόνοις monois DET DAT M PL to the only ones 1
G3441-03 μόνην monen DET ACC F SG alone alone (feminine singular accusative) 1
G3441-01 μόνα mona DET ACC N PL alone only things 1

Occurrences in Scripture

49 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3441-04 Matthew 4:4 μόνῳ mono DET DAT M SG to the only one
G3441-04 Matthew 4:10 μόνῳ mono DET DAT M SG to the only one
G3441-06 Matthew 12:4 μόνοις monois DET DAT M PL to the only ones
G3441-08 Matthew 14:23 μόνος monos PRO.I NOM M SG the only one
G3441-09 Matthew 18:15 μόνου monou DET GEN M SG of the sole one
G3441-08 Matthew 24:36 μόνος monos DET NOM M SG the only one
G3441-02 Mark 4:10 μόνας monas PRO.I ACC F PL alone only (feminine plural)
G3441-08 Mark 6:47 μόνος monos DET NOM M SG alone the only one
G3441-10 Mark 9:2 μόνους monous PRO.I ACC M PL alone alone (masculine plural accusative)
G3441-07 Mark 9:8 μόνον monon DET ACC M SG only only
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