reprise: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Literary, Musical, Legal
Quick answer
What does “reprise” mean?
To repeat a part of something, especially a piece of music, a performance, or an action.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To repeat a part of something, especially a piece of music, a performance, or an action.
In law, the resumption or renewal of a legal action. In narrative contexts, a repeated theme or recurrence of a situation or emotion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In music and theatre, 'reprise' is standard in both. In legal contexts, the verb form ('to reprise') is more common in British legal language. In general business/performance use, 'to reprise a role' is equally understood.
Connotations
Slightly more formal and arts-associated in British English. Slightly more likely to be used in business/strategy contexts in American English (e.g., 'reprise last year's campaign').
Frequency
Rare in everyday speech in both varieties, used primarily in specialist contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “reprise” in a Sentence
reprise + [noun phrase] (transitive)the [noun] + was reprised (passive)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reprise” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The orchestra will reprise the symphony's haunting adagio in the finale.
- After a decade, the actor agreed to reprise his iconic detective role for a radio drama.
- The Chancellor's speech largely reprised the arguments from the White Paper.
American English
- The band reprised their hit song for the encore.
- She reprised her role as CEO after a two-year hiatus.
- The new policy reprises key elements of the 1990s initiative.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used as adverb, but in music) The theme was played reprise.
American English
- (Rarely used as adverb, but in theatre notes) She entered reprise, echoing her first act exit.
adjective
British English
- The reprise performance was met with even greater acclaim.
- He played the reprise section with exquisite sensitivity.
American English
- The reprise episode featured all the original cast members.
- Listen for the reprise theme in the second movement.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The marketing team will reprise the highly successful holiday campaign.
Academic
The essay's conclusion reprises the central argument from the introduction.
Everyday
He reprised his famous dance move from the 80s at the wedding.
Technical
In musical theatre, the act-one finale is often reprised at the end of the show.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “reprise”
Strong
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reprise”
- Incorrect spelling: 'reprize'.
- Incorrect pronunciation: /ˈriːpraɪz/ (like 'rise').
- Using it for any simple repetition (e.g., 'He reprised his request' sounds overly formal/artistic).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a low-frequency word used primarily in formal, artistic, musical, or legal contexts.
Yes, primarily as a musical term (e.g., 'the finale features a reprise of the main theme').
'Reprise' suggests a formal, artistic, or deliberate repetition, often with a sense of returning to something significant. 'Repeat' is a general, neutral term for any recurrence.
It is pronounced /rɪˈpriːz/ (ri-PREEZ), not like 'prize'. The stress is on the second syllable.
To repeat a part of something, especially a piece of music, a performance, or an action.
Reprise is usually formal, literary, musical, legal in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To reprise one's role”
- “A curtain-call reprise”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an actor taking a 'PRISE' (a hold/grip) on a role again - RE-PRISE it.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERFORMANCE IS A CYCLICAL JOURNEY (returning to a past moment).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'reprise' LEAST appropriate?