echolalia

American  

[ek-oh-ley-lee-uh] / ˌɛk oʊˈleɪ li ə /

noun

1. Psychiatry. the uncontrollable and immediate repetition of words spoken by another person.

2. the imitation by a baby of the vocal sounds produced by others, occurring as a natural phase of childhood development.

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echolalia British  

/ ˌɛkəʊˈlælɪk, ˌɛkəʊˈleɪlɪə /

noun

1. psychiatry the tendency to repeat mechanically words just spoken by another person: can occur in cases of brain damage, mental retardation, and schizophrenia

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Other Word Forms

• echolalic adjective

Etymology

Origin of echolalia

First recorded in 1880–85; echo + -lalia

Example Sentences

Some are mentally soothed by repeating specific words or phrases, a phenomenon known as echolalia, which can be misinterpreted by someone unfamiliar with the trait as mocking or uncooperative.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Yewdall, who had limited verbal skills, often repeated words and phrases she heard other people say, a condition called echolalia.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 27, 2022

The repetition of speech is called echolalia and is a common sign of autism.

From Washington Post • Apr. 30, 2022

He explained that echolalia is a common feature in kids like Owen.

From New York Times • Mar. 7, 2014

Rumfoord went on insisting for several hours that Billy had echolalia—told nurses and a doctor that Billy had echolalia now.

From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut