What does tautological mean?
Tautological describes an expression, statement, or argument that says the same thing in different words without contributing new information. It is often used to criticize writing that appears elaborate but merely repeats an idea, as in “The statement is tautological because it adds no explanation beyond what was already said.” In formal logic, the term can identify a proposition that is true by definition or necessarily follows from the meanings of its terms. The adjective is generally more evaluative than the neutral noun tautology: calling something tautological suggests that its apparent reasoning or explanation is empty of new content. The word is useful in discussions of rhetoric, philosophy, law, and academic writing, where distinctions between substantive claims and circular or repetitive ones matter.
adjectiveCharacterized by saying the same thing in different words without adding meaning. In logic, it can also describe a proposition that is true by definition or because of the meaning of its terms.
- Characterized by saying the same thing in different words without adding meaning.
- In logic, true by definition or necessarily true because of the meanings of the terms used.
"His conclusion was tautological, merely restating the premise in more elaborate language."
"The slogan was tautological because it simply repeated the organization's name."
"The argument was tautological: its conclusion was already assumed in its premise."
Tautology says the same thing twice; tautological is the label for when it does so with polished repetition.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of tautological
Tautological comes through English tautology, from Greek tautologos, meaning “repeating what has already been said.” Its roots combine tautos, “same,” with logos, “word,” “speech,” or “proposition,” reflecting the ancient observation that repeating the same proposition adds no information. English adopted tautology in the early modern period, while the adjective tautological developed later from the noun and the suffix -ical.
Related word forms
How tautological is actually used
Usually formal or analytical. It can describe language that is needlessly repetitive, but in logic it more precisely identifies a proposition that is true because of its terms or definition.
Easily confused with tautological
A tautology is the redundant statement itself, whereas tautological describes language or reasoning characterized by such redundancy.