monologue
Americannoun
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a form of dramatic entertainment, comedic solo, or the like by a single speaker.
a comedian's monologue.
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a prolonged talk or discourse by a single speaker, especially one dominating or monopolizing a conversation.
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any composition, as a poem, in which a single person speaks alone.
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a part of a drama in which a single actor speaks alone; soliloquy.
noun
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a long speech made by one actor in a play, film, etc, esp when alone
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a dramatic piece for a single performer
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any long speech by one person, esp when interfering with conversation
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of monologue
1615–25; < French, on the model of dialogue dialogue; compare Greek monólogos speaking alone
Explanation
A monologue is a speech delivered by one person, or a long one-sided conversation that makes you want to pull your hair out from boredom. The Greek root word monologos translates to “speaking alone,” and that’s a monologue: one person doing all the talking. In theatre, sometimes a character has a monologue that they perform. You might have an internal monologue where you talk to yourself to better understand some dilemma. Some people talk forever in a constant monologue, never letting you speak. If two people talk back and forth, it’s a dialogue, which is different and probably more fun for everyone.
Vocabulary lists containing monologue
"The Crucible" -- Vocabulary from all 4 Acts
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"The Crucible" -- Vocabulary from Act 3
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Reading: Literature - Drama - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Now it was Cohen’s turn to receive a Kaplan Hypothetical Monologue:
From Slate • Oct. 26, 2023
In some ways, the diocese’s policy on transgender individuals mirrors how the church talks about same-sex couples, said Patrick Hornbeck, author of “More than a Monologue: Sexual Diversity and the Catholic Church.”
From Seattle Times • Dec. 8, 2021
Student actors participate in the August Wilson Monologue Competition, which celebrates the writing of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” in the documentary “Giving Voice.”
From Washington Post • Dec. 9, 2020
“Giving Voice”: The August Wilson Monologue Competition invites high schoolers to master the playwright’s dazzling writing.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2020
The Monologue is addressed by a happy husband to his "perfect wife, my Leonor".
From An Introduction to the Study of Robert Browning's Poetry by Corson, Hiram
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
