What does repetition mean?
Repetition is the act of saying, doing, or presenting something again, as well as the fact that something occurs more than once. It can refer to a single repeated act, such as a repetition of a melody; a recurring pattern, such as a repetition of the previous week's events; or the deliberate reuse of language for rhythm, emphasis, or effect. In everyday criticism, repetition often carries a mildly negative implication, suggesting redundancy or an idea that has already been made clear. Used more deliberately, however, it can be valuable: writers repeat key phrases to structure an argument, teachers use repetition to aid memory, and children learn through recurring sounds and actions. The word is countable and uncountable; “repetitions” refers to separate instances. Across these uses, repetition names both a practical process and a rhetorical device, while its evaluation depends chiefly on purpose and context.
nounThe act of saying, doing, or presenting something again, or the fact that something occurs more than once. It may also refer to a repeated word, phrase, or idea used deliberately for emphasis or effect.
- The act of saying, doing, or presenting something again.
- A recurring event, pattern, or instance.
- The deliberate reuse of a word, phrase, idea, or element for emphasis, rhythm, structure, or artistic effect.
"Repetition helps young learners remember new words."
"Repetition helps young learners remember new words."
"The repetition of the same phrase throughout the speech weakened its impact."
"The opening line returns at the end, giving the poem a sense of deliberate repetition."
The plural is used for separate repeated instances or occurrences, while the singular is generally uncountable when referring to repetition as a process or practice.
"The editor removed several unnecessary repetitions from the draft."
Repetition enters English from Latin repetere, literally “to seek again”—a fitting origin for a word that makes something return.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does repetition come from?
Repetition entered Middle English through French from Latin repetitio, a noun formed from repetere, “to seek again” or “repeat.” The element re- indicates repetition, while the Latin verb petere means “to seek” or “aim at.” English cognates and related forms include repeat, repetitive, and repetend, while compete reflects the same ultimate Latin root through competere.
Related word forms
How repetition is actually used
Repetition is both countable and uncountable. The uncountable form names the general process or practice, while the plural refers to separate repeated instances. In discussion of writing or speech, repetition often suggests redundancy, although deliberate repetition can be an effective rhetorical device.
Easily confused with repetition
A petition is a formal request or the document containing that request, whereas repetition is the act of saying or doing something again.