Definitions
01theatre/performance
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Theater
n. a long speech by one actor in a play or movie.
n. a long speech by one actor in a play or film, delivered either to the audience or to other characters.
Español:monólogo
“The lead actor delivered a powerful monologue at the end of the first act.”
“The audition required two contrasting monologues, one from a classical Shakespearean play and one from a contemporary drama.”
Antonyms
02monopolising a conversation
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal
n. a long, boring speech by one person that stops others from talking.
n. a long, uninterrupted utterance that monopolises a social interaction or conversation.
Español:monólogo
“I tried to join the conversation, but his monologue about his new car lasted twenty minutes.”
“What began as a friendly dinner soon devolved into a tedious monologue about his recent business ventures.”
Antonyms
03comedy routine
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Theater
n. a series of jokes or stories told by a comedian at the start of a show.
n. a continuous series of comic stories and jokes performed as a standalone entertainment segment.
“The late-night host always starts the show with a funny monologue about the news.”
“The comedian's opening monologue touched on current political events, instantly winning over the skeptical audience.”
04to speak at length
C2 · Proficiency Literary · Formal
v. to give a long speech or talk for a long time without stopping.
v. to deliver a monologue or to speak at length in a way that excludes others.
“The villain began to monologue about his evil plan while the hero looked for a way to escape.”
“He had a tendency to monologue whenever he felt his authority was being questioned by the junior staff.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“As for Noelle, she sparkles in the comedy throughout as well as in the despair of Helena’s Act 1 Scene 1 monologue, imploringly offered with wide eyes to the front row.” “He’s the one who has to persuade her to stay, via a beautiful monologue made all the lovelier coming from him.” Etymology
First attested in c. 1550. Borrowed from Middle French monologue, modeled on dialogue, ultimately from Byzantine Greek μονόλογος (monólogos, “soliloquy, monologue”). By surface analysis, mono- + -logue.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/monologue
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0