Repetition

ˌrɛpɪˈtɪʃən

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

The action of doing or saying something again.

ˌrɛpɪˈtɪʃən

nounneutralBeginner
Action

The action of repeating something.

The politician's speech was filled with repetition of key phrases to emphasize his points.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're learning a new dance move. Doing it over and over, again and again, is repetition. It helps you get better!

👶 For kids: Doing something again and again is repetition.

More Examples

2

The student improved her skills through repetition of practice problems.

3

The annoying repetition of the advertisement made me want to change the channel.

How It's Used

General

"The repetition of the same mistakes frustrated the teacher."

Music

"The song featured a catchy repetition of a musical phrase."

Literature

"The author used repetition to emphasize the character's obsession."

2

Something that happens or is said again; an instance of repeating.

ˌrɛpɪˈtɪʃən

nounneutralmedium
Object

Something repeated.

The musical piece used repetitions of a melody to create a sense of rhythm.

💡 Simply: That song you love? The part you listen to over and over? That's a repetition.

👶 For kids: When something happens again, it's a repetition.

More Examples

2

The constant repetitions of the phone ringing were driving me crazy.

3

Her poem relied on subtle repetitions of key words to create emphasis.

How It's Used

Literature

"The story features a series of repetitions that build suspense."

Everyday

"The constant repetitions of the alarm clock were unbearable."

Tip:A repeated event or statement is a repetition.

Idioms & expressions

repetition is the mother of skill

Practice makes perfect.

"He practiced the piano every day, knowing that repetition is the mother of skill."

From Latin *repetitio* (“a repeating”), from *repetere* (“to repeat”), from *re-* (“again”) + *petere* (“to seek, to go to, to strive for”).

The term gained prominence in philosophical and educational discourse during the 17th and 18th centuries, emphasizing learning through repeated practice and recall.

Memory tip

Think of a parrot repeating phrases; it's repetition!

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"a repeating"

constant repetitionendless repetitionfrequent repetitionmusical repetitionword repetition

Common misspellings

repititionrepetion

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written