What does tautologic mean?
Tautologic describes language that repeats an idea unnecessarily or expresses it in a form that adds no new information. For example, calling a proposal "a plan for future planning" is tautologic because both halves communicate essentially the same notion. The term can also have a precise role in logic, where a tautologic statement is one that is true under every possible assignment of truth values. Although this specialized meaning differs from the everyday criticism of needless repetition, both uses reflect the underlying idea that the wording contributes nothing beyond what is already present. Tautologic is related to the more familiar adjective "tautological," which is usually more common in general prose. The word is especially useful when discussing argumentative writing, rhetorical style, formal logic, and imprecise or inflated language.
adjectiveCharacterized by tautology; needlessly repetitive or redundant, especially because an idea is expressed twice in different words. In logic, tautologic describes a statement that is true in every case.
- Needlessly repetitive or redundant, especially because the same idea is expressed more than once.
- In logic, necessarily true under every possible assignment of truth values.
"The phrase "return back" is tautologic because the second word adds no meaning to the first."
"The essay's tautologic conclusion merely restates its opening claim without adding evidence."
"In formal logic, a tautological formula remains true under every assignment of truth values."
In logic, a tautology is always true; in ordinary prose, a tautologic sentence is simply saying the same thing twice.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tautologic come from?
Tautologic is an English derivative of "tautology." The latter comes through Latin from the Greek tautos, meaning "the same," combined with -logia, meaning a study or account. English has long used "tautology" for needless repetition, while logic retains the older mathematical sense of a proposition that is always true. The adjective "tautologic" was formed from "tautology" with the suffix -ic.
Related word forms
How tautologic is actually used
A formal, somewhat technical term used especially in logic, literary criticism, academic writing, and discussions of style. In general use, it criticizes language for saying more words without adding meaning.
Easily confused with tautologic
Both words have essentially the same meaning, but "tautological" is the more common form; "tautologic" is especially frequent in technical and formal writing.