SKIP TO CONTENT

monologue

/ˈmɑnəlɑg/
/ˈmɒnəlɒg/
IPA guide

Other forms: monologues

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.

Definitions of monologue
  1. noun
    a (usually long) dramatic speech by a single actor
    see moresee less
    type of:
    actor's line, speech, words
    words making up the dialogue of a play
  2. noun
    a long utterance by one person (especially one that prevents others from participating in the conversation)
  3. noun
    speech you make to yourself
Pronunciation
US
/ˈmɑnəlɑg/
UK
/ˈmɒnəlɒg/
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘monologue'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family