monologue

noun

mono·​logue ˈmä-nə-ˌlȯg How to pronounce monologue (audio)
-ˌläg
variants or less commonly monolog
1
a
: soliloquy sense 2
the monologue at the beginning of the scene
b
: a dramatic sketch performed by one actor
c
: the routine of a stand-up comic
The comedian's monologue about his family was hilarious.
2
: a literary composition written in the form of a soliloquy
Her poems were monologues about unrequited love.
3
: a long speech monopolizing conversation
I stifled a yawn as she continued her monologue about her vacation experiences.
monologuist noun
or monologist
ˈmä-nə-ˌlȯ-gist How to pronounce monologue (audio)
-ˌlä-,
mə-ˈnä-lə-jist,
-gist

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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

The play begins with the main character's monologue. The comedian is famous for his monologue about winning the lottery. I stifled a yawn as she launched into a monologue about how she is going to become a famous star.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Six years later that same color was the subject of Miranda Priestly’s eviscerating monologue in The Devil Wears Prada, about the power of color and fashion and how both influence consumer behavior. Bedatri D. Choudhury, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025 After Michelle Wolf's controversial monologue in 2018 received mixed reviews from critics, the WHCA chose historian Ron Chernow to present a speech the following year. Jay Stahl, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025 The last words of the series, fittingly, come in the form of Joe’s inner monologue. Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025 Her husband proceeded to crash her opening monologue. Sydney Wingfield, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for monologue

Word History

Etymology

Middle French monologue, from mon- + -logue

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of monologue was in 1549

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Cite this Entry

“Monologue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monologue. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

monologue

noun
mono·​logue
variants also monolog
1
: a short dramatic work performed by one actor
2
: a long uninterrupted speech delivered by one person in the presence of others
monologuist noun
or monologist
mə-ˈnäl-ə-jəst How to pronounce monologue (audio)
ˈmän-ᵊl-ˌȯg-əst,
-ˌäg-
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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