3 syllables: Mo, no, logue. Stress on Mo.
MAH-nuh-lawg
/ˈmɑnəˌlɔɡ/
Monologue is pronounced MAH-nuh-lawg (/ˈmɑnəˌlɔɡ/). It has three syllables (Mo-no-logue), with the stress on "Mo". Monologue is a speech delivered by one person, often to convey inner thoughts or tell a narrative, typically lengthy and uninterrupted. It can be in theater, literature, or public speaking, and may be used to reveal character, motivation, or perspective. In everyday use, it denotes an extended single-voice speech or narrative, sometimes lengthy and rhetorical.
nounMonologue is a speech delivered by one person, often to convey inner thoughts or tell a narrative, typically lengthy and uninterrupted. It can be in theater, literature, or public speaking, and may be used to reveal character, motivation, or perspective. In everyday use, it denotes an extended single-voice speech or narrative, sometimes lengthy and rhetorical.
"The actor delivered a powerful monologue that revealed his character’s deepest fears."
"During the rehearsal, she performed a moving monologue about overcoming adversity."
"The TED Talk began with a personal monologue that set the speaker’s tone."
Pronounce it as /ˈmɒnəˌlɒɡ/ (UK) or /ˈmɔnəˌlɔːɡ/ (US). The word has three syllables with primary stress on the first syllable: MO-nuh-LOG. The second syllable is unstressed, and the final syllable carries the secondary stress or falls as a light, dark -log. Mouth position: start with an open back rounded /ɒ/ for the first vowel, then a lax /ə/ for the second vowel, followed by the long /ɒ/ or /ɔː/ in the final syllable. Listen for a subtle pause-like quality between the first and second syllables in careful speech, and ensure the final /ɡ/ is a clear stop. Audio reference: you can check standard dictionaries’ pronunciation clips for /ˈmɒnəˌlɒɡ/ or /ˈmɔnəˌlɔːɡ/.
Common errors: (1) Placing primary stress on the third syllable (mo-NO-log) instead of MO-no-log; (2) pronouncing the final cluster as /ləɡ/ with a light g or a /dʒ/-like sound; (3) reducing the first vowel to a schwa in all forms, yielding /ˌmənəˈloɡ/. Correction: keep the first syllable strong: /ˈmɒnə/ with /ˈlɒɡ/ or /ˈlɔːɡ/ at the end, and maintain a clear /n/ between syllables. Practice with minimal pairs and stress drills to reinforce MO- vs mo-.
US often pronounces as /ˈmɑːnəˌlɔːɡ/ or /ˈmɔnəˌloʊɡ/, with rhotic /r/ not present, and sometimes a longer /ɔː/ in the final syllable. UK tends toward /ˈmɒnəˌləɡ/ or /ˈmɒnəlɒɡ/ with less vowel length, and final /ɡ/ is clear. Australian accents align closely with UK but may show vowel length variation like /ˈmɒnəlɒɡ/ and a more relaxed /ə/ in the second syllable. Across all, the stress remains on the first syllable, with a secondary emphasis possibly on the final syllable depending on speaker.
Two main challenges: (1) the second syllable uses a reduced vowel /ə/ in many dialects, which many speakers over-articulate; (2) the final syllable contains /ɡ/ with a velar stop release that can blur if the preceding vowel isn’t clear. Additionally, the leap from /n/ to /ə/ to /l/ to /ɡ/ requires precise timing and tongue switching. Practice with slow, careful enunciation to anchor the sequence and avoid smearing the /n/ into the /ə/.
A distinctive feature is the shift of primary stress in certain fast speech variants where some speakers lean on the final syllable’s weight, effectively creating a secondary emphasis on -logue in informal contexts. This is more about prosody than a fixed phonetic rule, and you’ll hear it in rapid public speeches or dramatic readings where the opening syllable remains prominent while the tail gains gentle emphasis.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Monologue"!
Monologue derives from the French monologue, from Medieval Latin monologus, from Greek mono- ‘one’ + logos ‘speech, word.’ The term first appeared in English in the 17th–18th centuries, originally in dramatic contexts to denote a long speech given by a single character. The form is rooted in ancient Greek theater where a single speaker often dominated a scene for rhetorical or psychological effect. Over time, monologue broadened beyond drama to any extended speech by one person, including literary essays, stand‑up performances, and public speaking. The word’s usage evolved from a purely theatrical device to a common descriptor for any extended, sole-voiced discourse, retaining nuances of introspection, narrative focus, and speaker authority. Early references appear in translations of classical plays and later in rhetorical treatises that discuss the power of one voice to drive a message, mood, or character revelation. The term now encompasses both dramatic soliloquies and prose-like uninterrupted narratives, with or without audience interaction, often signaling an emphasis on inner perspective or storyteller-driven discourse.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Monologue" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Monologue" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Monologue" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Monologue"
-log sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
