rote

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈrōt 

1

: the use of memory usually with little intelligence

learn by rote

2

: mechanical or unthinking routine or repetition

a joyless sense of order, rote, and commercial hustle

—L. L. King

rote

2 of 4

adjective

1

: learned or memorized by rote

2

: mechanical sense 3a

rotely adverb

rote

3 of 4

noun (2)

: crowd entry 3 sense 1

rote

4 of 4

noun (3)

: the noise of surf on the shore

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• drill
• grind
• groove
• lockstep
• pattern
• routine
• rut
• treadmill

Examples of rote in a Sentence

Noun (1)

learned the rote for the exercise warm-up but not the reasoning behind it

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

It’s meant to be a familiar dynamic but edges uncomfortably into the predictable, the rote. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2024

Given the weird psychology that drove the antagonists in the earlier films — a crazed lady taxidermist and then a psychopathic thespian, respectively — the villains’ thirst for riches here seems a little rote, while the use of El Dorado as a device just piles cliché on top of triteness. —Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Nov. 2024

Adjective

So begins a big, broad, and absorbing story in which Atlus skillfully subverts and complicates its rote premise and setting. —Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024

In the near term, the jobs most at risk are those that involve repetitive tasks or synthesizing information from a rote knowledge base, says Anoliefo. —Samantha Walravens, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German hruozza crowd

Noun (3)

perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse rauta to roar — more at rout entry 5

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1610, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

rote

1 of 2 noun

ˈrōt 

1

: the use of memory usually without thinking about it

learn by rote

repeat something by rote

2

: something done time after time in an automatic way or without thinking

rote

2 of 2 adjective

1

: done or learned by rote

rote learning of multiplication tables

a rote phrase

2

: done or carried out without engaging the mind or feelings

rote duties

ask a rote question