Word
rote
US/ˈɹoʊt/
UK/ɹˈəʊt/
Definition
n. a way of learning by repeating something many times until you know it by heart. It is often used for things like facts, numbers, or simple rules.
n. the process of learning by repetition, typically without understanding the underlying principles. Often associated with mechanical memorisation rather than conceptual comprehension.
Examples
“He learned the multiplication tables by rote.”
“Many students rely on rote memorisation to pass their history exams, though they often forget the details shortly after the test.”
“While rote learning can be effective for basic facts, modern pedagogical theory suggests that deeper conceptual engagement leads to more durable and flexible knowledge.”
Examples
simple
“He learned the multiplication tables by rote.”
contextual
“Many students rely on rote memorisation to pass their history exams, though they often forget the details shortly after the test.”
complex
“While rote learning can be effective for basic facts, modern pedagogical theory suggests that deeper conceptual engagement leads to more durable and flexible knowledge.”
Real-World Examples
“Most artists in the group, aged between 23 and 60, don’t speak or read English and learned the lyrics by rote.” “Let me write this on a sticky note and put it on the wall.’ And it seems very rote and kind of like they’re ticking a box.” Etymology
From Middle English rote (“custom, habit, wont, condition, state”), further origin unknown. Found in the Middle English phrase bi rote (“by heart, according to form, expertly”), c. 1300. Some have proposed a relationship either with Old French rote/rute (“route”), or Latin rota (“wheel”) (see rotary), but the OED calls both suggestions groundless. Another explanation might be the metaphorical comparison between anything repetitive and playing the rote.
From Old Norse rót n (“tossing, pitching (of sea)”), perhaps related to rauta (“to roar”); see hrjóta. Compare Middle English routen (“to roar, bellow, storm, rage, howl”).
From Middle English rote, from Old French rote, probably of German origin; compare Middle High German rotte, and English crowd (“a kind of violin”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/rote