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

In the trailer, Sheen delivers a monologue in a steely whisper, imagining a better future for Wales without rule by an English king.

From BBC

She was good last year and good this year, at least in the monologue, which she approached like a roast, without being nasty.

From Los Angeles Times

Host Nikki Glaser returned to host the Golden Globes on Sunday, delivering a scorching opening monologue that roasted many of the celebrities in the room.

From BBC

Glaser’s monologue: What grade would you give it, Mary?

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Brewer intertwines the movie’s two registers brilliantly in an opening scene in which Mr. Jackman does a brief musical performance that doubles as the monologue he delivers to his 12-step group.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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