epilogue: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “epilogue” mean?
A section or speech at the end of a book, film, or play, often commenting on or concluding the main story.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A section or speech at the end of a book, film, or play, often commenting on or concluding the main story.
Any event, speech, or act that serves as a concluding or reflective comment on a preceding series of events.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is identical. 'Epilog' is a rarely seen archaic spelling. Usage and context are the same across both varieties.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of formality, closure, and artistic or intellectual reflection.
Frequency
More common in literary and academic contexts; equally low frequency in everyday speech in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “epilogue” in a Sentence
[Noun] + verb: The epilogue provides...[Noun] + to + noun: the epilogue to the novelVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “epilogue” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The playwright chose to epilogue the piece with a direct address to the audience.
- He epilogued the series with a nostalgic monologue.
American English
- She epilogued her lecture with a powerful quote.
- The director epilogued the documentary with updated facts.
adverb
British English
- N/A. There is no standard adverb form derived from 'epilogue'.
American English
- N/A. There is no standard adverb form derived from 'epilogue'.
adjective
British English
- N/A. The adjectival form is not standard. Use 'epilogic' only in rare technical writing.
American English
- N/A. The adjectival form is not standard. Use 'epilogic' only in rare technical writing.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could describe a final reflective report or statement after a major project.
Academic
Common in literary criticism, film/media studies, and history to denote concluding commentary.
Everyday
Uncommon. Might be used when discussing books, films, or metaphorically for life events.
Technical
Used in literary, dramatic, and film-making terminology to denote a specific structural component.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “epilogue”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “epilogue”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “epilogue”
- Using 'epilogue' to mean 'preface' or 'introduction'.
- Spelling as 'epiloge'.
- Pronouncing as /ˈiːpɪlɒɡ/ (long E).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An epilogue is a specific, often separate, section (especially in drama/fiction) that comments on or extends the story after the main plot ends. A 'conclusion' is a more general term for the final part of any text or speech.
Rarely and formally. While 'epilogue' is primarily a noun, it can be used as a verb in literary contexts (e.g., 'to epilogue a novel'), but this usage is uncommon and considered highly stylised.
No, it is an optional literary device used by authors to provide closure, reflection, or additional information that doesn't fit within the main narrative structure.
The direct opposite is a 'prologue', which is an introductory section or speech before the main story begins. Other antonyms include 'preface', 'introduction', or 'foreword'.
A section or speech at the end of a book, film, or play, often commenting on or concluding the main story.
Epilogue is usually formal/literary in register.
Epilogue: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɛpɪlɒɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɛpəˌlɔɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in a fitting epilogue to...”
- “act as the epilogue to...”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'EPI' (after) + 'LOGUE' (speech). A speech that comes AFTER the main story.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE END OF A STORY IS A SUMMING UP (a final accounting, a reflective conclusion).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate description of an 'epilogue'?