What does echolalic mean?
Echolalic refers to the act of repeating or imitating the sounds made by another person, often in a mocking or playful manner. This behavior is commonly seen in children, but it can also be exhibited by adults. Echolalic can be used to describe a range of behaviors, from simple repetition to more complex imitations. It is often used in a slightly mocking or playful tone, and can be seen as a form of social commentary or satire. In some cases, echolalic can be used to describe a person's tendency to repeat or imitate others in a more serious or pathological way. Overall, echolalic is a useful word for describing a range of behaviors that involve repetition or imitation.
adjectiveRepeating or imitating the sounds made by another person, often in a mocking or playful manner.
- Repeating or imitating the sounds made by another person, often in a mocking or playful manner.
"The children were being echolalic, repeating the teacher's words back to her in a silly tone."
"The children were being echolalic, repeating the teacher's words back to her in a silly tone."
"The comedian used echolalic laughter to mock the politician's speech."
The plural form echolalics is used to describe multiple people who exhibit echolalic behavior.
"The group of children were being echolalic, repeating the teacher's words back to her in a silly tone."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of echolalic
The word echolalic comes from the Greek word 'echo', meaning 'to repeat' or 'to imitate'. It is related to the word 'mimic', which means 'to imitate' or 'to copy'. The word has been used in English since the 17th century to describe a range of behaviors that involve repetition or imitation.
How echolalic is actually used
Echolalic is often used to describe children's behavior, but it can also be used to describe adults who engage in similar behavior. It can have a slightly mocking or playful tone.