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

Other Word Forms

• monologist noun
• monology noun
• monologic adjective
• monological adjective
• monologuist 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

Drifting between boiling anger and crushing regret, O’Brien’s delivery of a monologue to the ghost of Rocky astounds for its insides-bearing rawness.

From Los Angeles Times

While Wakim was only on the show for one season, he made some memorable visits to the Weekend Update desk where he delivered topical monologues.

From Los Angeles Times

In high school in Los Angeles, I performed Lady Macbeth’s speech on the stage because everybody had to do some kind of monologue for a project.

From Los Angeles Times

In an show of narrative justice, the documentary juxtaposes Tim’s righteous monologues against the Vietnam War and social inequality with scenes of Guibert and their son celebrating milestones in his absence.

From Los Angeles Times

The late Dixie Carter’s Julia Sugarbaker is a proud Georgia liberal who, in one of the show’s incisive monologues, lambastes a right-wing blowhard advocating for inserting prayer into schools.

From Salon

Related Words

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