What does repeat mean?
Repeat means to say, do, or experience something again, and it can also function as a noun referring to a repeated instance, performance, broadcast, or medicine dose. In everyday instruction and conversation, the verb is used when information must be heard or stated again: “Could you repeat that?” It can also describe recurring actions or events, as in “The meeting is held on a repeat basis,” or media broadcasts shown for a second time. The expression “repeat oneself” sometimes carries a mildly critical implication, suggesting needless redundancy rather than a simple request for clarification. As a countable noun, a repeat is a second showing or performance of something. The word is used in both British and American English and is common in formal, informal, and professional contexts. Its history is especially memorable because it comes through Old French from Latin repetere, a compound of re-, meaning “again,” and petere, meaning “to seek” or “to claim.” Thus, the central idea has always been doing, saying, or seeking something once more.
To say, state, perform, or do something again; to occur again; or to broadcast something again.
"The alarm repeated throughout the night."
When someone asks for information to be stated again, “repeat” is neutral and common in both formal and informal settings. The expression “repeat oneself” may imply needless redundancy.
An instance of something being said, performed, or broadcast again; also, in medicine, a dose intended to be taken again.
"Tonight's programme is a repeat of last week's episode."
The noun is countable and commonly refers to a repeated broadcast, performance, medicine dose, or similar instance.
As a countable noun, “repeat” takes the plural form “repeats.”
"The channel scheduled three repeats of the documentary."
Repeat comes from Latin repetere: re- means “again,” while petere means “to seek,” so the word originally carried the idea of seeking again.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does repeat come from?
Repeat entered Middle English through Old French repetier, ultimately derived from Latin repetere, “to repeat, say again,” formed from re-, meaning “again,” and petere, meaning “to seek, aim at, or claim.” The verb became established in English during the Middle English period and was later extended to actions, events, broadcasts, and medicine. Words such as appetite, competitor, and petition are more distant relatives sharing the ultimate Latin root petere, although their development also involved different prefixes and meanings.
Related word forms
How repeat is actually used
The phrase “repeat oneself” can imply that someone is unnecessarily saying the same thing more than once. As a countable noun, “repeat” can refer to a repeated performance or broadcast; in medicine, it can mean a dose intended to be taken again. “On repeat” is informal but widely understood.
Easily confused with repeat
Repeat means to say or do something again, whereas repeal means to revoke a law or official decision.