English Reference
verb · noun

repeat

v. · n.
US /ɹiˈpit/ UK /ɹɪpˈiːt/ re·peat UK spelling repeats

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    v.to say or do something more than once.

    v.to say, do, or provide something again; transitive when taking a direct object of the action performed.

    Simple

    Could you please repeat that last sentence? I didn't hear you clearly.

    In context

    The professor had to repeat the instructions several times before the students understood the complex requirements of the assignment.

    reiteraterestateredo
  2. 02 B1 Intermediate

    v.to happen more than once.

    v.to occur again or recur. Often used intransitively to describe patterns or events.

    Simple

    History often seems to repeat itself when people forget the past.

    In context

    The software error began to repeat every time the user attempted to save a large file to the cloud server.

    recurreappear
  3. 03 B1 Intermediate British English

    n.a television programme that is shown again.

    n.a television or radio programme that is broadcast again after its initial presentation.

    Simple

    I've seen this episode before; it's just a repeat.

    In context

    The network filled the summer schedule with repeats of popular sitcoms to save on production costs during the off-season.

    rerunrebroadcast
  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate British English Medicine

    n.a second or further supply of a medicine.

    n.a further issuance of a medical prescription without needing a new consultation.

    Simple

    The doctor gave me a repeat for my allergy medication.

    In context

    Patients on long-term medication can often request a repeat prescription through the clinic's online portal.

  5. 05 C1 Advanced Technical Music

    n.a sign that tells a musician to play a section again.

    n.a mark or sign in a musical score directing the performer to play a specific passage again.

    Simple

    The pianist missed the repeat and went straight to the ending.

    In context

    The composer included a repeat at the end of the exposition to ensure the audience became familiar with the primary themes.

  6. 06 C2 Proficiency Technical Military

    v.to fire weapons again at the same target.

    v.to fire again using the same settings and ammunition on a previously engaged target.

    Simple

    The commander ordered the battery to repeat on the same coordinates.

    In context

    After observing that the initial strike had missed the bunker, the forward observer requested the artillery to repeat the mission.


From Middle English repeten, from Old French repeter, from Latin repetō, repetere, from the prefix re- (“again”) + peto (“attack, beseech”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin repeto
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated