What does soliloquy mean?
A soliloquy is speech addressed aloud to oneself, most famously by a character who is alone on stage. In theatre, it provides an opportunity to reveal a character's private thoughts, motives, or emotional conflicts to the audience. The word is also used more generally for an extended, self-directed expression of thought, sometimes with a slightly theatrical or literary tone. Its associations with dramatic speech make it especially familiar from plays by Shakespeare and other major dramatists. Although a soliloquy and a monologue may both involve one speaker, a soliloquy specifically involves speaking to oneself rather than addressing other characters or an audience. In contemporary usage, the word can describe someone talking aloud to themselves, whether seriously, contemplatively, or humorously.
nounA speech made aloud by a person who is alone or addressing no one in particular, especially a character speaking to himself or herself on stage. The word can also refer more generally to talking to oneself.
- A speech addressed aloud by a person who is alone or seems to be alone, especially a character on stage.
- An extended expression of one's private thoughts, spoken aloud to oneself.
"Hamlet's famous soliloquy gives voice to thoughts that he cannot share with anyone else."
"The actor delivered the soliloquy in a voice barely above a whisper."
"She began a quiet soliloquy as she searched the room for her missing keys."
The standard plural is soliloquies. It is relatively uncommon because the word is usually used for an individual dramatic speech, but it is grammatically regular.
"The script contains several soliloquies that reveal the king's doubts."
Soliloquy comes from Latin words meaning “alone” and “to speak”: literally, talking to oneself.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does soliloquy come from?
The word comes from Latin soliloquium, formed from solus, meaning “alone,” and loqui, meaning “to speak.” It entered English in the early 17th century, initially referring to speech addressed to oneself and later becoming especially established in the context of drama. The related English words monologue, dialogue, and eloquent preserve the same Latin speaking root, while solitude reflects the “alone” element.
Related word forms
How soliloquy is actually used
The term is literary and strongly associated with drama, where a character speaks aloud while alone on stage, traditionally as though other characters cannot hear him or her. In modern figurative use, it can describe private speech or reflection. It should not be confused with an interior monologue, which represents unspoken thoughts rather than speech delivered aloud.
Easily confused with soliloquy
A monologue is an extended speech by one person that may be directed to an audience or other characters, whereas a soliloquy is specifically speech addressed to oneself, especially by a character who is alone on stage.