monologue
Americannoun
-
a form of dramatic entertainment, comedic solo, or the like by a single speaker.
a comedian's monologue.
-
a prolonged talk or discourse by a single speaker, especially one dominating or monopolizing a conversation.
-
any composition, as a poem, in which a single person speaks alone.
-
a part of a drama in which a single actor speaks alone; soliloquy.
noun
-
a long speech made by one actor in a play, film, etc, esp when alone
-
a dramatic piece for a single performer
-
any long speech by one person, esp when interfering with conversation
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Crucible" -- Vocabulary from Act 3
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Reading: Literature - Drama - Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
When Kenneth first appears to deliver his opening monologue, he enters through the audience, as though one of us were walking onto the stage to confide our story.
From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026
At Jimmy Kimmel’s annual monologue to advertisers at Disney’s recent upfront presentation, the ABC late-night host offered sympathy to his ousted CBS cohort Stephen Colbert.
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026
When CBS parent company Paramount Global agreed to settle a lawsuit with Trump for $16 million last July, Colbert targeted both sides, calling the settlement a “big fat bribe” in one monologue.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026
Like its US counterpart, the UK show has a cold open - beginning immediately with a sketch before going to a title sequence, opening credits and then an opening monologue from the guest host.
From BBC • May 17, 2026
“Wipe that smile away and be prepared to keep the attitude of that gift of a monologue you just gave us. That is the emotion we are looking for.”
From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle
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.
