What does reiterating mean?
Reiterating means saying or stating something again, usually to make clear that an earlier point remains important or valid. Rather than merely repeating information for its own sake, the word commonly implies emphasis, reaffirmation, or insistence. It is especially frequent in formal contexts such as political speeches, official announcements, diplomatic exchanges, legal proceedings, and academic discussion. For example, a government official may reiterate a commitment to peace while defending or reaffirming an existing policy. The word can also function before a noun, as in “a reiterating statement,” although that use is less common. Because reiterating often describes the repeated expression of an established position rather than a genuinely new idea, excessive use can sound redundant or formulaic. Its formal register and emphasis on continuity make it useful in discussions where speakers need to stress that a principle, warning, demand, or commitment has not changed.
To say or state something again, especially in order to reaffirm a previous statement or emphasize a point.
"The minister reiterated that the policy would remain in force."
Common in formal and official contexts; often implies reaffirmation rather than a wholly new statement.
Reaffirming or repeating an earlier statement, request, or principle.
"The declaration was widely regarded as a reiterating statement of existing policy."
If a statement is important, saying it once may not be enough—especially in speeches, where reiteration is used to drive a point home.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reiterating come from?
The word derives from Latin reperīre or repetere, meaning “to seek again” and “to repeat,” with the prefix re- indicating repetition. The English verb reiterate appeared in the early modern period, drawing on Latin forms while also being influenced by related English words such as repeat. Cognates including repetition, repetitive, and repetend continue to reflect the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How reiterating is actually used
Common in formal speech, official statements, negotiations, and academic writing. It can sound emphatic, although frequent use may make a statement seem repetitive or formulaic.
Easily confused with reiterating
Repeating is the general act of saying or doing something again, whereas reiterating usually implies reaffirming or emphasizing an earlier statement.
Iterate means to repeat a process or cycle, while reiterate normally means to state something again.