monologue

or mon·o·log

[ mon-uh-lawg, -log ]

noun

1. a form of dramatic entertainment, comedic solo, or the like by a single speaker:

   a comedian's monologue.

2. a prolonged talk or discourse by a single speaker, especially one dominating or monopolizing a conversation.
3. any composition, as a poem, in which a single person speaks alone.
4. a part of a drama in which a single actor speaks alone; soliloquy.

monologue

/ məˈnɒləɡɪst; mɒˈnɒlədʒɪ; ˈmɒnəˌlɒɡɪst; ˌmɒnəˈlɒdʒɪk; ˈmɒnəˌlɒɡ /

noun

1. a long speech made by one actor in a play, film, etc, esp when alone
2. a dramatic piece for a single performer
3. any long speech by one person, esp when interfering with conversation

Usage

See soliloquy

Derived Forms

• monologist, noun
• monology, noun
• monologic, adjective

Other Words From

• mon·o·log·ic [mon-, uh, -, loj, -ik], mono·logi·cal adjective
• mon·o·log·ist [mon, -, uh, -law-gist, -log-ist, m, uh, -, nol, -, uh, -jist], mon·o·logu·ist [mon, -, uh, -law-gist, -log-ist], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of monologue¹

1615–25; < French, on the model of dialogue dialogue; compare Greek monólogos speaking alone

Word History and Origins

Origin of monologue¹

C17: via French from Greek monologos speaking alone

Example Sentences

I was like, Bill, instead of doing a stand-up show, I’m thinking of doing Dr. Phil with a monologue, some crowd work, we’ll do an interview and then play a game.

From Los Angeles Times

Charli’s monologue referenced how she got started playing raves when she was 15 by telling her parents she had swim practice, “at 2 a.m. ... In a warehouse full of gays.”

From Los Angeles Times

When he eventually explodes into thinking, delivering a monologue of disordered intellectual half-thoughts and rhetorical tics, the stage convulses in Lewis Carroll absurdity.

From Los Angeles Times

The performers gathered in the West Hollywood City Council Chamber for two presentations of “The Trans Diaries” — monologues that serve as vehicles for trans people to share their stories.

From Los Angeles Times

Because I was like, “This is it. This is the big monologue.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• discourse
• harangue
• lecture
• sermon
• soliloquy
• speech