monologue
noun
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Soliloquy vs. Monologue
Soliloquy and monologue cover very similar ground, but there are some important differences between the two words. Soliloquy (from the Latin solus “alone” and loqui “to speak”) at its most basic level refers to the act of talking to oneself, and more specifically denotes the solo utterance of an actor in a drama. It tends to be used of formal or literary expressions, such as Hamlet’s soliloquies. Monologue (from Greek monos "alone" and legein "to speak") may also refer to a dramatic scene in which an actor soliloquizes, but it has other meanings as well. To a stand-up comedian, monologue denotes a comic routine. To a bored listener, it signifies a long speech uttered by someone who has too much to say.
Examples of monologue in a Sentence
David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2025
Sassy, brassy, and tinged with confessional monologues, and songs from some of her favorite writers, Karen will share her love of music and her love of storytelling.
—Jane Levere, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
Of course, online, reactions to the monologue are divided, with some media critics pointing out that TERFS are using the monologue to spew transphobic vitriol.
—Quispe López, Them, 21 Mar. 2025
Eilish and Finneas opened the show, which aired live, after host LL Cool J’s welcoming monologue.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for monologue
Cite this Entry
“Monologue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monologue. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
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monologue
noun
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