soliloquy

/səˈlɪləkwi/

Group 30Difficulty 2/3

Definition

(noun)
An act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself, especially by a character in a play
GRE

Example in Context

The actor's delivery of the famous soliloquy held the audience spellbound, each word resonating with a vulnerability that was entirely her own.

Synonyms

monologuespeechself-talk

Etymology

Speaking alone, as if having a one-man show.

  • solus (Latin) — alone
  • loqui (Latin) — to speak

Memory Aid

🎭Sounds like “solo-quip

Picture a comedian doing a SOLO-QUIP on stage, cracking jokes to an empty room!

Visual Association

🗣️A lone actor dramatically speaking to a mirror, as if rehearsing for a grand performance.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “soliloquy” mean on the GRE?

soliloquy (noun) means “An act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself, especially by a character in a play”. The actor's delivery of the famous soliloquy held the audience spellbound, each word resonating with a vulnerability that was entirely her own.

How to remember “soliloquy” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “soliloquy” sounds like “solo-quip”. Picture a comedian doing a SOLO-QUIP on stage, cracking jokes to an empty room!

What are synonyms for “soliloquy”?

Common synonyms: monologue, speech, self-talk.