soliloquy

noun so·lil·o·quy \ sə-ˈli-lə-kwē \

Updated on: 21 May 2018

Definition of soliloquy

plural soliloquies

1 : the act of talking to oneself

2 : a poem, discourse, or utterance of a character in a drama that has the form of a monologue or gives the illusion of being a series of unspoken reflections

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Examples of soliloquy in a Sentence

But if it is hard for the theatergoer to catch all the meanings in Macbeth's rippling soliloquies, then how much harder is that task when Shakespeare seems unable or unwilling to unpack his obscurities. —James Wood, New Republic, 26 June 2000
A funny thing happened to Billy Joel on the way to the recording studio recently. "I was walking down the street," he says, "and there was this big guy with long, stringy, greasy hair just talking to the air—screaming, actually. He was in the middle of this angry soliloquy when he looked at me, stopped and said in a regular voice, 'Hey, Billy, how ya doin'?' And then he went right back into his tirade." —Elysa Gardner, Rolling Stone, 10 June 1993
After Allen left, what became known as "The Tonight Show" fell into the hands of a genuine original. Jack Paar was an eminently normal-looking man, a former G.I. entertainer who planted himself at a desk instead of scampering around like Allen had. He would begin his shows in a low, well-modulated voice, exuding a dangerous calm. Then, periodically, but never predictably, he would lurch into disgruntled, pathetic soliloquies, decrying some indignity visited upon him by the network or the press. —Alex Ross, New Republic, 8 Nov. 1993

Recent Examples of soliloquy from the Web

On Thursday, Beethoven’s brief, simple opening piano entrance was like a multipart soliloquy.

— david patrick stearns, Philly.com, "Yannick and Grimaud connect like soul mates in Beethoven's 'Piano Concerto No. 4'," 18 May 2018
Billions is written in extended metaphors, strings of expletives, grandiloquent monologues, fire and brimstone soliloquies.

— rachel syme, The New Republic, ""Billions" reckons with the inflated egos and muddled ethics of Wall Street.," 24 Apr. 2018
The character’s inner musings and soliloquies weave in and out as other characters board and disembark at each Red Line stop.

— martine powers, Washington Post, "This play is literally underground, and it digs deep into the lives of Metro riders," 14 Apr. 2018
Gunn got to show off his comedic chops (also a fake hook) in the soliloquy for Captain Hook that star Boris Karloff never performed in that same show.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Lyric Opera offers up a sweet celebration of Bernstein at 100," 11 Mar. 2018
Then, White allegedly launched into his antijihad soliloquy.

— travis andersen, BostonGlobe.com, "Winthrop man, 70, allegedly carried assault rifle in vehicle to fight ‘jihadists on the highway’," 22 Mar. 2018
This year, the Material Girl opened the show, but all eyes were on Jackson: Michael Jackson, who Madonna paid tribute to in a heartfelt soliloquy.

— Newsweek, "Analysis," 14 Mar. 2018
If body language could talk, Nikola Jokic was giving a long, passionate soliloquy, describing everything from Clint Capela's stunning domination to his own frustration, all in clear detail.

— jonathan feigen, Houston Chronicle, "Rockets obliterate Nuggets for 7th consecutive win," 9 Feb. 2018
Mark Lives The Woke Leader One man, in his time, plays many parts Everything is temporary, Shakespeare reminds us, in this beautiful soliloquy performed by British actor and playwright Zawe Ashton.

— ellen mcgirt, Fortune, "raceAhead: Congress Gets Traction on Diversity In Tech," 26 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'soliloquy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.

Origin and Etymology of soliloquy

Late Latin soliloquium, from Latin solus alone + loqui to speak

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1613

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

SOLILOQUY Defined for English Language Learners

soliloquy

noun

Definition of soliloquy for English Language Learners

: a long, usually serious speech that a character in a play makes to an audience and that reveals the character's thoughts

Learn More about soliloquy

See words that rhyme with soliloquy Spanish Central: Translation of soliloquy Nglish: Translation of soliloquy for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of soliloquy for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about soliloquy

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soliloquy

Definition of soliloquy

Examples of soliloquy in a Sentence

Recent Examples of soliloquy from the Web

Soliloquy vs. monologue

Origin and Etymology of soliloquy

Other Performing Arts Terms

SOLILOQUY Defined for English Language Learners

soliloquy

Definition of soliloquy for English Language Learners

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soliloquy

Definition of soliloquy

Examples of soliloquy in a Sentence

Recent Examples of soliloquy from the Web

Soliloquy vs. monologue

Origin and Etymology of soliloquy

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SOLILOQUY Defined for English Language Learners

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Definition of soliloquy for English Language Learners

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