rote

1 of 4

noun (1)

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 hustleL. L. King

rote

2 of 4

adjective

1
: learned or memorized by rote
2
rotely adverb

rote

3 of 4

noun (2)

rote

4 of 4

noun (3)

: the noise of surf on the shore

Examples of rote in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The boys, including brilliant freethinker Melchior (Marshall) and his deaf friend Moritz (Joseph Saraceni), suffer through rote Latin learning with little room for creative thought. Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2024 In contrast, surface learning might involve cramming or rote memorization, which is less effective for understanding complex accounting principles. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024 After that second trip, my mind felt revitalized—a precious experience since motherhood had reduced so much of my brain to that rote caretaking. Sara Gaynes Levy, Vogue, 19 Jan. 2024 Better to outsource rote paperwork than to descend into nuclear warfare. Byjane Thier, Fortune, 27 May 2023 While some of Salesman’s scenes can feel a little rote — crafted more around a historical nugget than an urgent investigation of theme or character — the show wisely moves along quickly to the play-within-the-play’s rehearsals. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2023 For white-collar workers, automation could mean less time doing rote or technical tasks, and more time spent on creative or strategic work that artificial intelligence cannot do — yet. Annabelle Timsit, Washington Post, 26 July 2023 Out with the rote, in with the creative Routine contract lawyers—those who write out standard submissions—will be the first to see their jobs go, Fuller anticipates. Byjane Thier, Fortune, 6 June 2023 There’s been much chatter about the potential uses of A.I. in hiring, from helping to eradicate biases to extinguishing rote tasks. Amber Burton, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2023
Adjective
As a premise for an inspirational sports drama, that’s close to unbeatable, and no amount of rote writing in Frank Cottrell-Boyce’s patchy script can dim the film’s lump-in-the-throat effectiveness. Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024 The downside to an awards season being so long is that winners’ speeches sometimes become rote. Josh Ocampo, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Yes, applying concepts in various scenarios is crucial, making deep learning and understanding more valuable than rote memorization. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024 Vast online databases make effective search habits more important than rote memorization. TIME, 8 Feb. 2024 Jobs involving rote processes, scheduling and basic customer service are increasingly handled by AI. Jack Kelly, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Americans shouldn’t tolerate another rote response to Sunday’s attack that merely levels a handful of weapons depots or takes some replaceable militants in eastern Syria off the battlefield. The Editors, National Review, 29 Jan. 2024 Still, recent tech layoffs may be a troubling sign for employees who were told that AI would eliminate some of the rote work associated with their jobs, freeing them up to engage in more creative or productive work. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 25 Jan. 2024 But a rote grocery list of initiatives and trauma bonding over Black oppression is less resonant in this election and with this candidate. Charles Blow, The Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rote.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rote was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near rote

Cite this Entry

“Rote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rote. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rote

1 of 2 noun
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

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