soliloquy

[ suh-lil-uh-kwee ]

noun

, plural so·lil·o·quies.

1. an utterance or discourse spoken to oneself, without regard for whether any other hearers are present (often used as a device in drama to disclose a character's innermost thoughts):

   Hamlet's soliloquy begins with “To be or not to be.”

2. the act of talking while or as if alone.

soliloquy

/ səˈlɪləkwɪ /

noun

1. the act of speaking alone or to oneself, esp as a theatrical device
2. a speech in a play that is spoken in soliloquy

   Hamlet's first soliloquy

Usage

Soliloquy is sometimes wrongly used where monologue is meant. Both words refer to a long speech by one person, but a monologue can be addressed to other people, whereas in a soliloquy the speaker is always talking to himself or herself

Word History and Origins

Origin of soliloquy¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Late Latin sōliloquium “a talking to oneself, soliloquy,” equivalent to sōli- soli- ¹ + loqu(ī) “to speak” + -ium -ium; -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of soliloquy¹

C17: via Late Latin sōliloquium, from Latin sōlus sole + loquī to speak

Example Sentences

After reviewing the film, Harbaugh said he didn’t want to spend much time singling out every individual performance but couldn’t help himself as he launched into an 11-minute soliloquy highlighting the offense’s explosive plays and ball security, the defense’s connection between the pass rush and the secondary that led to three interceptions and the big returns and blocked field goal on special teams.

From Los Angeles Times

The reason for repeatedly doing so isn’t ever made clear and feels as jarring as suddenly cutting away from a fight scene or a soliloquy.

From Los Angeles Times

The thunderous rhetoric, which crowds out introspective soliloquy, moves into Broadway power ballad territory when emotions run high.

From Los Angeles Times

At one point I was watching Driver deliver the entire “to be or not to be” soliloquy from “Hamlet,” a reference never acknowledged by any of the other characters.

From Los Angeles Times

At the end of this soliloquy, the opening credits roll — accompanied by Queen’s “Fat Bottomed Girls.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• discourse
• monologue