# monologue

/ˈmɑnəˌɫɔɡ/ (US) · /mˈɒnəʊlˌɒɡ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/monologue
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. theatre/performance

noun · CEFR B2

a long speech by one actor in a play or movie.

For teachers: a long speech by one actor in a play or film, delivered either to the audience or to other characters.

- 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.

### 2. monopolising a conversation

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a long, boring speech by one person that stops others from talking.

For teachers: a long, uninterrupted utterance that monopolises a social interaction or conversation.

- 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.

### 3. comedy routine

noun · CEFR B2

a series of jokes or stories told by a comedian at the start of a show.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. to speak at length

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary · Formal

to give a long speech or talk for a long time without stopping.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The actor delivered a powerful monologue on stage.
- I tried to join the conversation, but he continued his monologue about his vacation for twenty minutes.
- The play's final monologue provides a window into the protagonist's internal conflict, allowing the audience to grasp his motivations before the curtain falls.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.