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

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

Traditional tests that require rote memorization fall short in evaluating AI-era skills. —Beata M. Jones, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Just as calculators taught us to prioritize conceptual understanding over rote calculation, AI can encourage us to prioritize creativity, critical analysis and problem-solving over the mechanical aspects of knowledge. —Harsh Singh, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

So why does this Last Dance feel so impersonal, so rote, so step-by-step predictable? —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 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