monologue

American  

[mon-uh-lawg, -log] / ˈmɒn əˌlɔg, -ˌlɒg /

Or monolog

noun

1. a form of dramatic entertainment, comedic solo, or the like by a single speaker.

   a comedian's monologue.

2. a prolonged talk or discourse by a single speaker, especially one dominating or monopolizing a conversation.

3. any composition, as a poem, in which a single person speaks alone.

4. a part of a drama in which a single actor speaks alone; soliloquy.

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monologue British  

/ məˈnɒləɡɪst, mɒˈnɒlədʒɪ, ˈmɒnəˌlɒɡɪst, ˌmɒnəˈlɒdʒɪk, ˈmɒnəˌlɒɡ /

noun

1. a long speech made by one actor in a play, film, etc, esp when alone

2. a dramatic piece for a single performer

3. any long speech by one person, esp when interfering with conversation

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Other Word Forms

• monologic adjective
• monological adjective
• monologist noun
• monologuist noun
• monology noun

Etymology

Origin of monologue

1615–25; < French, on the model of dialogue dialogue; compare Greek monólogos speaking alone

Example Sentences

As J.D. explains in one of his signature interior monologues, doctors are required to see five patients every hour to maximize profits.

From Salon

Jonas wrote the pilot several years ago without a particular actor in mind for the lead character, who narrates the novel as if she were delivering an ongoing monologue.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s a monologue scene that I have that was kind of a tricky scene because we want to show that Rachel’s a good actress, but that she’s just not quite right for the part.

From Los Angeles Times

Dubois - never one for lengthy monologues - kept his answers short and matter of fact.

From BBC

But Jackson’s October 1984 episode was above all a political act — “this last shot at America’s mind,” he calls it in a monologue that’s part victory lap, part wake-up call.

From Salon

Related Words

• discourse
• harangue
• lecture
• sermon
• soliloquy
• speech