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Parroting: meaning, definitions and examples

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parroting

 

[ ˈperətɪŋ ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

imitate without understanding

To repeat or imitate without understanding the meaning or significance; to mimic or copy without comprehension.

Synonyms

copy, imitate, mimic

Examples of usage

  • The child was just parroting the words without knowing what they meant.
  • She was accused of parroting the politician's speeches without truly comprehending the issues.
Context #2 | Noun

repetition without original thought

Repetition of someone else's words or ideas without adding any original thought or insight.

Synonyms

echoing, reiteration, repetition

Examples of usage

  • His writing was criticized for being mere parroting of existing theories.
  • The students were guilty of parroting the textbook instead of engaging with the material.

Translations

Translations of the word "parroting" in other languages:

🇵🇹 replicação

🇮🇳 नकल करना

🇩🇪 Nachahmung

🇮🇩 menirukan

🇺🇦 підробка

🇵🇱 parafrazowanie

🇯🇵 模倣する

🇫🇷 imitation

🇪🇸 imitación

🇹🇷 taklit

🇰🇷 모방

🇸🇦 تقليد

🇨🇿 napodobování

🇸🇰 napodobovanie

🇨🇳 模仿

🇸🇮 posnemanje

🇮🇸 eftirlíking

🇰🇿 көшірмелеу

🇬🇪 გადმოწერა

🇦🇿 təqlid

🇲🇽 imitación

Etymology

The word 'parroting' originates from the noun 'parrot', a bird known for its ability to mimic human speech. In the figurative sense, 'parroting' refers to mindlessly repeating or imitating something without true understanding or original thought. This term has been used since the 19th century to describe the act of repeating words or ideas without comprehension.

See also: parrot.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,403, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.