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Repetitive Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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repetitive

[rɪˈpɛtɪtɪv ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

behavior

Characterized by repetition or repetition of the same action or activity multiple times.

Synonyms

monotonous, repetitious, routine.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
repetitive

Used to describe something that involves doing the same thing over and over again, often implying that it can become boring or tiresome.

  • The tasks on the assembly line are very repetitive.
  • She found the job to be repetitive and unchallenging.
repetitious

Used to describe something that repeats, often unnecessarily or excessively. It is generally used in a negative context to criticize the lack of originality.

  • The essay was criticized for being repetitious and lacking new ideas.
  • Her storytelling can be quite repetitious, with the same details shared over and over.
monotonous

Used to describe something that is dull and lacks variety, making it boring. It strongly implies that there's no change or excitement.

  • His voice sounded monotonous during the entire lecture.
  • The workday was long and monotonous, with nothing new happening.
routine

Used to describe regular, usual, and customary activities that are done habitually, often without much thought. It can be neutral or slightly boring but doesn't have a strong negative connotation.

  • He followed his morning routine to the letter.
  • Going to the gym has become part of my daily routine.

Examples of usage

  • Her speech was so repetitive that it became difficult to listen to.
  • The repetitive nature of the job started to bore him after a while.
Context #2 | Adjective

music

Consisting of repeated musical phrases or rhythms.

Synonyms

cyclical, looped, recurring.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
repetitive

Best used when describing something that happens over and over in a monotonous or unvaried way, often leading to boredom.

  • The job involved performing the same repetitive tasks every day.
  • Listening to the same song on repeat can be quite repetitive.
recurring

Refers to something that happens repeatedly, at intervals, and often expectedly. It is commonly used in contexts such as scheduling, events, or problems that come back over time.

  • He had a recurring nightmare about falling.
  • They scheduled a recurring meeting every Monday morning.
cyclical

Employed to describe something that occurs in cycles or patterns, often in a predictable manner. This term is frequently used in economics, nature, or any context where patterns or trends repeat over time.

  • The economy is known for its cyclical nature, with periods of growth followed by recessions.
  • Many natural processes, like the seasons, are cyclical.
looped

Used in technical or creative contexts to describe something that continues indefinitely until stopped, such as a piece of music or a segment of code. Often associated with technology and entertainment.

  • The video was looped so it played continuously without stopping.
  • In programming, a looped function will run repeatedly until a specific condition is met.

Examples of usage

  • The song had a catchy, repetitive melody.
  • The piece was criticized for being too repetitive.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Repetitive behaviors can often be a sign of anxiety, as individuals may use routines to cope with stress.
  • The brain can become highly efficient at processes that are repetitive, sometimes leading to less creativity.
  • In learning, repetition is key; doing something multiple times helps cement it in memory.

Music

  • Repetitive patterns in music can make songs catchy and easier to remember.
  • Genres like pop often use repetitive hooks, leading listeners to sing along quickly.
  • Some musical compositions, like minimalist music, deliberately use repetition to create a meditative effect.

Literature

  • Repetition as a literary device can emphasize important themes or ideas in poetry and prose.
  • Famous authors, like Edgar Allan Poe, often used repetition to create rhythm and build suspense.
  • In children's books, repetitive phrases help young readers anticipate what comes next, aiding literacy.

Physical Exercise

  • Many workout routines use repetitive motions to build muscle memory and strength.
  • Repetition in exercise can lead to muscle fatigue, which is often a part of effective training.
  • Some expert trainers suggest varying routines to avoid the mental fatigue that comes with too much repetition.

Origin of 'repetitive'

Main points about word origin

  • The word derives from the Latin 'repetere', meaning 'to repeat' or 'to recapture'.
  • The prefix 're-' means 'again', while 'petere' means 'to seek' or 'to go after'.
  • The term began to be used in English around the early 1600s.

The word 'repetitive' originated from the Latin word 'repetitivus', which means 'repeating'. The concept of repetition has been prevalent in various aspects of human life, from behavior to music. The term gained popularity in the English language to describe actions or activities that are repeated multiple times, often leading to monotony or predictability. In music, the term is used to denote compositions with recurring patterns or phrases. The use of 'repetitive' continues to be common in everyday language, reflecting the human tendency to repeat actions or patterns.

See also: repeatability, repeatable, repeated, repeatedly, repeater, repeating, repetition, repetitious.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,682, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.