monologue
monologue Lexical Profile
monologue Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A long speech delivered by a single actor in a theatrical play, film, or broadcast program, either addressed to other characters or directly to the audience.
"The actress memorized a three-page dramatic monologue for her theater school audition."
A prolonged talk or discourse by a single speaker in a conversation, especially one that monopolizes the discussion and prevents others from participating.
"What began as a team discussion quickly turned into a forty-minute monologue by the department director."
• verb
To deliver a long, uninterrupted speech or dominate a conversation by speaking at length alone.
"Classic cinema villains often monologue about their grand plans instead of acting immediately."
Word Nuance & Usage
In drama, a "monologue" is a long speech addressed to other characters or the audience, whereas a "soliloquy" is spoken by a character who is alone on stage to reveal their inner thoughts.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the mid-17th century from French monologue, which derives from Ancient Greek monologos ('speaking alone'), combining monos ('alone, single') and logos ('word, speech, discourse').