monology: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “monology” mean?
A long speech or discourse by one person.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A long speech or discourse by one person; a monologue.
A prolonged or tedious speech by a single speaker, especially one that dominates a conversation or excludes others; in literary contexts, a dramatic soliloquy or extended speech by one character.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to be encountered in British literary criticism; in American usage, 'monologue' is overwhelmingly preferred.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both. 'Monologue' is the standard term.
Grammar
How to Use “monology” in a Sentence
[Subject] delivered a monology on [Topic].His speech devolved into a rambling monology.The play featured a powerful monology in Act II.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “monology” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He began to monologise about the weather.
- She monologised for a full twenty minutes.
American English
- He monologized about tax policy for an hour.
- The presenter monologized without taking questions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might describe a domineering executive's one-sided presentation: 'The board meeting turned into the CEO's monology.'
Academic
Very rare in modern use. Might appear in older literary studies discussing dramatic form.
Everyday
Virtually never used. 'Monologue' or 'long speech' are used instead.
Technical
Not used in technical fields. Belongs to literary/dramatic vocabulary.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monology”
- Using 'monology' in everyday conversation instead of 'monologue'.
- Misspelling as 'monolgy' or 'monology'.
- Assuming it is a common word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is archaic and extremely rare. The standard modern word is 'monologue'.
A soliloquy is specifically a dramatic device where a character speaks their thoughts aloud, often alone. A monology is a broader term for any long speech by one person, not necessarily in a play.
Only in very specific literary or historical contexts. For all general purposes, use 'monologue'.
Not directly. The related verb is 'monologize' (US) / 'monologise' (UK), meaning to speak in a monologue.
A long speech or discourse by one person.
Monology is usually formal/literary in register.
Monology: in British English it is pronounced /məˈnɒlədʒi/, and in American English it is pronounced /məˈnɑːlədʒi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He launched into his favourite monology.”
- “The meeting was just a monology from the boss.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MONO (one) + LOGY (speech) = a speech by one person. Like a monologue, but even more obscure.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEECH IS A SOLITARY JOURNEY (one person travels through ideas alone).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of 'monology' in modern usage?