repeat
B1 (High Frequency)Neutral to Formal
Definition
Meaning
To say, do, or occur again.
To reproduce or replicate something; to retell information; to recur; a broadcast that is shown again; a pattern that recurs.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a verb, it can be transitive (repeat a word) or intransitive (the pattern repeats). The noun form often refers to a recurrence or a rebroadcast. Can imply tedium or monotony if overused.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. Noun usage for a rebroadcast or rerun is common in both, but 'repeat' is the standard UK term for a TV programme shown again, whereas US may also use 'rerun'.
Connotations
Similar in both. Can have a slightly negative connotation of lack of originality when used in contexts like 'a repeat performance'.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] + object (He repeated the question.)[verb] + that-clause (She repeated that she was leaving.)[verb] + (intransitive) (History repeats.)[verb] + after + object (Repeat after me.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Repeat after me”
- “Repeat performance”
- “History repeats itself”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Customer retention ('repeat business'); iterative processes.
Academic
Replicating experiments; reiterating arguments for emphasis.
Everyday
Asking someone to say something again; watching a TV show again.
Technical
In computing, a loop structure; in textiles, a recurring pattern.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Could you repeat the postcode, please?
- I don't want to repeat the mistakes of the past.
- The channel is repeating the series next week.
American English
- Can you repeat the zip code, please?
- Let's not repeat the errors of the past.
- The network is airing a repeat of the season finale.
adverb
British English
- Used as an adverb in compounds like 'repeat-viewing figures'.
- Rare as a standalone adverb.
American English
- Used as an adverb in compounds like 'repeat-viewing data'.
- Rare as a standalone adverb.
adjective
British English
- He's a repeat offender.
- We offer discounts for repeat customers.
- It was a repeat prescription.
American English
- He's a repeat offender.
- We have a loyalty program for repeat customers.
- It was a refill for a recurring prescription.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please repeat your name.
- I watched the repeat of my favourite show.
- The teacher asked us to repeat the sentence.
- Could you repeat the question for the students at the back?
- He repeated the experiment to confirm the results.
- There will be a repeat of the concert next Friday.
- She repeated her assertion that the data was flawed, despite the criticism.
- The pattern repeats every twelve units along the fabric.
- The company relies heavily on repeat business from its clients.
- The minister was accused of merely repeating tired clichés instead of offering new policy.
- The fractal geometry ensures the motif repeats at increasingly smaller scales.
- His conviction as a repeat offender carried a mandatory minimum sentence.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 're-PEAT': You PEAT (a type of soil) again (RE) to grow the same plants.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A CYCLE (History repeats itself).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'rehearse' (репетировать).
- Beware of using 'repeat' for 'retell' a story (Russian 'пересказать') – it can be correct, but 'retell' is more precise.
- The noun 'repeat' (повтор) is more common in UK English for TV shows than in US.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'Can you repeat again?' (redundant) Correct: 'Can you repeat that?'
- Incorrect: 'I repeated him to go.' Correct: 'I told him to go again.' or 'I repeated the instruction for him to go.'
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the MOST common collocation with 'repeat' to describe a customer?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Repeat' is more general. 'Reiterate' specifically means to say something again, often for emphasis or clarity, and is slightly more formal.
Yes, commonly. In the UK, a 'repeat' is a TV/radio programme broadcast again. It can also mean a recurrence (e.g., 'a repeat of the incident').
No, it's usually redundant. 'Repeat' already means 'to do again', so 'again' is unnecessary. Use just 'repeat' or 'say/do again'.
Stress is on the second syllable: /rɪˈpiːt/. The first syllable is a short 'i' sound like in 'sit'. The vowel in the stressed syllable is a long 'e' like in 'see'.
Collections
Part of a collection
Common Questions
A1 · 31 words · Question words and phrases for basic communication.