A soliloquy is a speech in a play in which an actor or actress speaks to himself or herself and to the audience, rather than to another actor.
Synonyms: monologue, address, speech, aside More Synonyms of soliloquy
soliloquy in British English
(səˈlɪləkwɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-quies
1.
the act of speaking alone or to oneself, esp as a theatrical device
2.
a speech in a play that is spoken in soliloquy
Hamlet's first soliloquy
▶ USAGE Soliloquy is sometimes wrongly used where monologue is meant. Both words refer to a long speech by one person, but a monologue can be addressed to other people, whereas in a soliloquy the speaker is always talking to himself or herself
Word origin
C17: via Late Latin sōliloquium, from Latin sōlus sole + loquī to speak
soliloquy in American English
(səˈlɪləkwi)
nounWord forms: pluralsoˈliloquies
1.
an act or instance of talking to oneself
2.
lines in a drama in which a character reveals his or her thoughts to the audience, but not to the other characters, by speaking as if to himself orherself
Word origin
LL soliloquium < L solus, alone, sole1 + loqui, to speak
Examples of 'soliloquy' in a sentence
soliloquy
He composed his face as if to deliver Hamlet's saddest soliloquy.
Edward Docx THE CALLIGRAPHER (2003)
soliloquy might have succeeded in doing just that if he hadn't been in love and overflowing with a marvellous sense of aliveness.
Zindell, David THE BROKEN GOD (2003)
Steil wondered if the Lexus woman had been more surprised by the perforations than by his soliloquy.
José Latour OUTCAST (2003)
(noun)
Definition
a speech made by a person while alone, esp. in a play
On stage Hamlet is delivering his soliloquy.
Synonyms
monologue
He ignored the question and continued his monologue.
address
The president had scheduled an address to the people for that evening.
speech
He delivered his speech in French.
aside
oration
a brief funeral oration
dramatic monologue
Usage note
Although soliloquy and monologue are close in meaning, you should take care when using one as a synonym of the other. Both words refer to a long speech by one person, but a monologue can be addressed to other people, whereas in a soliloquy the speaker is always talking to himself or herself.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of address
Definition
a formal speech
The president had scheduled an address to the people for that evening.