soliloquize
/səˈlɪl.ə.kwaɪz/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To speak your thoughts aloud when you are alone, especially in a play or dramatic scene. It can also mean to talk to yourself in a private, thoughtful way.
- He soliloquized on the dark stage.
- She soliloquized about her future choices.
- The actor soliloquized for several minutes.
Adinary Nuance
Soliloquize is more formal and literary than talk to yourself. It is often used for plays, books, or dramatic speech. Writers choose it when they want to sound artistic or serious, not casual. It is closer to a stage monologue than ordinary self-talk.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- độc thoại
- Spanish
- soliloquiar
- Chinese
- 独白
- Japanese
- 独白する
- Korean
- 독백하다
Etymology
Soliloquize comes from Latin solus, meaning “alone,” and loqui, meaning “to speak.” It entered English in the 17th century, especially in dramatic writing.
Common phrases
soliloquize on stagesoliloquize to himselfa soliloquizing speech
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is soliloquize a common word in everyday English
- No. It is fairly uncommon and sounds literary or formal.
- What is the difference between soliloquize and monologue
- A soliloquize is the act of speaking alone. A monologue is a longer speech, often to other people or on stage.
- Can I use soliloquize in academic writing
- Yes, but only when you are discussing drama, literature, or style.