Repetitive
/rɪˈpetɪtɪv/
Definitions
Characterized by doing or saying the same thing again and again.
/rɪˈpetɪtɪv/
Repeating or characterized by repetition.
The repetitive nature of the assembly line work made it difficult to stay focused.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have to write the same sentence over and over. That's repetitive. Think of a song you hear on the radio a lot – if the chorus is the same each time, it's repetitive. It can be tiring or boring, like when you have to clean the same spot on the window again and again.
👶 For kids: If you do the same thing over and over, like saying the same word, that's repetitive.
More Examples
His speech was repetitive, using the same phrases and ideas throughout.
The child's repetitive questions started to irritate the parent.
The artist used a repetitive pattern in her design.
How It's Used
"Repetitive tasks can be boring."
"The song's repetitive chorus made it catchy."
"Repetitive behavior can be a symptom of some mental health conditions."
Idioms & expressions
The same old story
Used to refer to something that is boring because it is the same as it always has been.
""Oh, not again!" she said, with a sigh, as her husband launched into the same old story about his job."
Ad nauseam
Referring to something that has been done or repeated so often that it has become annoying or tiresome.
"The politician repeated the same talking points ad nauseam during the debate."
From Latin *repetere* 'to repeat' (from *re-* 'again' + *petere* 'to seek, ask, strive for') + -ive (suffix forming adjectives).
The word 'repetitive' has been in use since the mid-17th century, originally used in a broader sense related to repeating something.
Memory tip
Think of a broken record stuck in a loop - that's repetitive!
Word Origin
"to repeat; to seek again"