Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense repeats, present participle repeating, past tense, past participle repeated
1. verb
If you repeat something, you say or write it again. You can say I repeat to show that you feel strongly about what you are repeating.
He repeated that he had been mis-quoted. [VERB that]
I repeat that medicine is on the brink of a revolution. [VERB that]
The President repeated his call for the release of hostages. [VERB noun]
'You fool,' she kept repeating. [VERB with quote]
Synonyms: reiterate [formal], restate, say again, recapitulate More Synonyms of repeat
2. verb
If you repeat something that someone else has said or written, you say or write the same thing, or tell it to another person.
She had an irritating habit of repeating everything I said to her. [VERB noun]
I trust you not to repeat that to anyone else. [VERB noun + to]
Repeat after me: 'Tomorrow is just another day.' [V + after]
3. verb
If you repeatyourself, you say something which you have said before, usually by mistake.
Then he started rambling and repeating himself. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]
4. convention
People sometimes say repeat before saying again a word they have just said, in order to emphasize it or to make sure that people hear it.
[formal, emphasis]
We are not, I repeat, not actually in the negotiating process.
Find and destroy, repeat destroy, these units.
5. verb
If you repeat an action, you do it again.
The next day I repeated the procedure. [VERB noun]
He said Japan would never repeat its mistakes. [VERB noun]
Hold this position for 30 seconds, release and repeat on the other side. [VERB]
6. verb
If an event or series of events repeatsitself, it happens again.
The U.N. will have to work hard to stop history repeating itself. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]
The cycle then repeats itself. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]
[Also VERB]
7. countable noun [usually singular]
If there is a repeatof an event, usually an undesirable event, it happens again.
There were fears that there might be a repeat of last year's campaign of strikes. [+ of]
...in order to prevent a repeat tragedy.
8. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
If a company gets repeat business or repeat customers, people who have bought their goods or services before buy them again.
[business]
Nearly 60% of our bookings come from repeat business and personal recommendation.
9. countable noun
A repeat is a television or radio programme that has been broadcast before.
[British]
There's nothing except sport and repeats on TV.
regional note: in AM, use re-run
Synonyms: rerun, replay, reproduction, reshowing More Synonyms of repeat
10.
See a repeat performance
More Synonyms of repeat
repeat in British English
(rɪˈpiːt)
verb
1. (when tr, may take a clause as object)
to say or write (something) again, either once or several times; restate or reiterate
2.
to do or experience (something) again once or several times
3. (intransitive)
to occur more than once
the last figure repeats
4. (tr; may take a clause as object)
to reproduce (the words, sounds, etc) uttered by someone else; echo
5. (transitive)
to utter (a poem, speech, etc) from memory; recite
6. (intransitive)
a.
(of food) to be tasted again after ingestion as the result of belching or slight regurgitation
b.
to belch
7. (tr; may take a clause as object)
to tell to another person (the words, esp secrets, imparted to one by someone else)
8. (intransitive)
(of a clock) to strike the hour or quarter-hour just past, when a spring is pressed
9. (intransitive) US
to vote (illegally) more than once in a single election
10. repeat oneself
noun
11.
a.
the act or an instance of repeating
b.
(as modifier)
a repeat performance
12.
a word, action, etc, that is repeated
13.
an order made out for goods, provisions, etc, that duplicates a previous order
14.
a duplicate copy of something; reproduction
15. radio, television
a further broadcast of a programme, film, etc, which has been broadcast before
16. music
a passage that is an exact restatement of the passage preceding it
▶ USAGE Since again is part of the meaning of repeat, one should not say something is repeated again
Derived forms
repeatability (reˌpeataˈbility)
noun
repeatable (reˈpeatable)
adjective
Word origin
C14: from Old French repeter, from Latin repetere to seek again, from re- + petere to seek
repeat in American English
(rɪˈpit; for n., also ˈriˌpit)
verb transitive
1.
to say or utter again; reiterate
to repeat a remark
2.
to say over or through; recite (a poem, etc.)
3.
to say (something) as said by someone else
4.
to tell to someone else
to repeat a secret
5.
a.
to do or make again; do over again
to repeat a test
b.
to make happen again or undergo again
to repeat an adventure
6.
to say again what has been said before by (oneself)
7.
to present (itself or themselves) again
verb intransitive
8.
to say or do again what has been said or done before
9.
to recur
experiences repeat
10.
to continue to be tasted, as because of belching
often with on
foods that repeat on one
11. US
to vote (illegally) more than once in the same election
noun
12.
the act of doing or saying again; repetition
13.
a.
anything said, done, or occurring again
b.
a rebroadcast of a radio or television program
14. Music
a.
a passage repeated in playing
b.
either of two signs used to mark the end (:∥) and, when appropriate, the beginning (∥:) of such a passage
SYNONYMY NOTE: repeat is the common, general word meaning to say, do, make, present, etc. over again [will you repeat that question, please?]; iterate, reiterate both suggest a repeating, either once or several times, but , reiterate strongly implies insistent repetition over and over again [he keeps reiterating his innocence]; recapitulate suggests a repeating briefly of the main points in a discourse in summarizing [she will recapitulate her account of the ball game at 8:00 o'clock]
Derived forms
repeatability (reˌpeataˈbility)
noun
repeatable (reˈpeatable)
adjective
Word origin
ME repeten < OFr repeter < L repetere < re-, again + petere, to demand, rush at, fall: see feather
Examples of 'repeat' in a sentence
repeat
Repeat this process with the remaining broth and the white wine.
The Sun (2016)
You can repeat this treatment again after you have brought your plants in.
The Sun (2016)
But it does not include films in its repeats tally.
The Sun (2016)
Repeat the process until all the stock is used up and the rice is al dente.
The Sun (2016)
Repeat to make two more wraps.
The Sun (2016)
Open the door and if he does it again, repeat the process.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Repeat the process using three more sheets, changing the direction each time.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I'd love a repeat again.
The Sun (2016)
He was also rumbled as an uninspiring public speaker who charged 190,000 for sometimes repeating an inane 30-minute lecture on leadership.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They repeat the song again and again.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
So is history about to repeat itself?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We just repeat the same results year by year.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The couple get repeat business from a number of regular clients.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Repeat this process until the batter is used up.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Repeat to make eight skewers in total.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The politicians just agree with you and then they repeat it sometimes.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The next day was almost an exact repeat of the day before.
Christianity Today (2000)
Charities said a repeat of the tragedy was only narrowly avoided.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And the result is that the eurozone is about to repeat history.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Repeat this process for each piece of fish.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Removing the cost of the drugs also makes repeat cycles more feasible.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It would be fatuous to suggest that an exact repeat is on the cards.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Music is a luck link so have a favourite song on repeat when you buy a lottery ticket.
The Sun (2011)
We need stronger and longer sentences and if a person is a repeat offender then the sentence should be amplified.
The Sun (2012)
The availability of consumer panel data and recognition of the critical importance of repeat buying has heightened interest in this area.
Tom Cannon Basic Marketing. Principles and Practice (1986)
Then repeat another five times, this time holding for ten seconds.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Having said that, tests sometimes need repeating.
The Sun (2009)
Switch sides and repeat for another 30 seconds.
The Sun (2014)
Repeat your programme three times a week, making sure you leave a day to rest between each workout.
The Sun (2013)
All they need to do is set it initially with a phone call where they speak to a person or repeat phrases to a computer.
The Sun (2016)
The aim is to remove any temptation for ratings agencies to give glowing ratings to the banks' bonds in return for repeat business.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
repeat
British English: repeat /rɪˈpiːt/ NOUN
If there is a repeat of an event, usually an undesirable event, it happens again.
There were fears that there might be a repeat of last year's campaign of strikes.
American English: repeat
Arabic: تَكْرار
Brazilian Portuguese: repetição
Chinese: 重复
Croatian: ponavljanje
Czech: opakování
Danish: gentagelse
Dutch: herhaling
European Spanish: repetición
Finnish: toisto
French: rediffusion
German: Wiederholung
Greek: επανάληψη
Italian: ripetizione
Japanese: 繰り返し
Korean: 반복
Norwegian: repetisjon
Polish: powtórzenie
European Portuguese: repetição
Romanian: repetare
Russian: повторение
Latin American Spanish: repetición
Swedish: repris
Thai: การกระทำซ้ำ
Turkish: tekrar
Ukrainian: повторення
Vietnamese: sự nhắc lại
British English: repeat /rɪˈpiːt/ VERB
If you repeat something, you say or write it again.
She repeated what she had said before.
American English: repeat
Arabic: يُكَرِّرُ
Brazilian Portuguese: repetir
Chinese: 重复
Croatian: ponoviti
Czech: opakovat
Danish: gentage
Dutch: herhalen
European Spanish: repetir
Finnish: toistaa
French: répéter recommencer
German: wiederholen
Greek: επαναλαμβάνω
Italian: ripetere
Japanese: 繰り返す
Korean: 반복하다
Norwegian: repetere
Polish: powtórzyć
European Portuguese: repetir
Romanian: a repeta
Russian: повторять
Latin American Spanish: repetir
Swedish: upprepa
Thai: พูด เขียนทำซ้ำ
Turkish: tekrarlamak
Ukrainian: повторювати
Vietnamese: nhắc lại
British English: repeat ADJECTIVE
If a company gets repeat business or repeat customers, people who have bought their goods or services before buy them again.
Nearly 60% of our bookings come from repeat business and personal recommendation.
American English: repeat
Brazilian Portuguese: recorrente
Chinese: 回购的
European Spanish: ya conocido
French: renouvelé
German: Nachfolge-
Italian: di ritornocliente, clientela
Japanese: 再注文の
Korean: 재구매의
European Portuguese: recorrente
Latin American Spanish: frecuente
All related terms of 'repeat'
auto-repeat
a feature of computer keys whereby a character is generated repeatedly as long as the user holds down the key in question
repeat mark
a sign on a piece of music instructing the player to replay a certain passage or section
repeat sign
a sign on a piece of music instructing the player to replay a certain passage or section
repeat marks
a sign on a piece of music instructing the player to replay a certain passage or section
repeat order
an order placed again by a customer for a product or service they have ordered before
repeat offender
A repeat offender is someone who commits the same sort of crime more than once.
repeat visitor
A visitor is someone who is visiting a person or place.
repeat oneself
to say or do the same thing more than once, esp so as to be tedious
automatic repeat
a key on the keyboard of a typewriter , computer, etc, which, when depressed continuously, produces the character repeatedly until the key is released
repeat performance
if there is a repeat performance of something, usually something undesirable , it happens again
repeat an error
An error is something you have done which is considered to be incorrect or wrong , or which should not have been done.
repeat a pattern
A pattern is the repeated or regular way in which something happens or is done.
repeat prescription
A repeat prescription is a prescription for a medicine that you have taken before or that you use regularly.
repeat the cycle
A cycle is a series of events or processes that is repeated again and again, always in the same order.
repeat the feat
If you refer to an action, or the result of an action, as a feat , you admire it because it is an impressive and difficult achievement .
a repeat performance
If there is a repeat performance of something, usually something undesirable , it happens again.
Chinese translation of 'repeat'
repeat
(rɪˈpiːt)
vt
[statement, question]重复(複) (chóngfù)
[action, mistake]重做 (chóngzuò)
(Rad, TV) 重播 (chóngbō)
(Scol)[class, course]重修 (chóngxiū)
[pattern]重复(複) (chóngfù)
vi
I repeat我重申 (wǒ chóngshēn)
n(c)
(Rad, TV) 重播 (chóngbō) (次, cì)
[of event]重演 (chóngyǎn)
to repeat o.s.一再重述 (yī zài chóngshù)
to repeat itself再次发(發)生 (zàicì fāshēng)
1 (verb)
Definition
to say, write, or do again
He repeated that he had been misquoted.
Synonyms
reiterate (formal)
He reiterated his opposition to the creation of a central bank.
restate
say again
recapitulate
Let's just recapitulate the essential points.
iterate
2 (verb)
Definition
to tell to another person (the secrets told to one by someone else)
I repeated the story to a delighted audience.
Synonyms
retell
relate
He was relating a story he had once heard.
quote
Then suddenly he quoted a line from the play.
renew
He renewed his attack on government policy.
echo
The rumble of thunder echoed through the valley.
replay
reproduce
The effect has proved hard to reproduce.
rehearse
A group of actors are rehearsing a play about Joan of Arc.
recite
They recited poetry to one another.
duplicate
Scientists hope the work done can be duplicated elswhere.
redo
rerun
reshow
1 (noun)
Definition
the act or an instance of repeating
a repeat of Wednesday's massive protests
Synonyms
repetition
He could have cut much of the repetition and saved pages.
echo
I heard nothing but the echoes of my own voice in the cave.
duplicate
reiteration
recapitulation
2 (noun)
Definition
a broadcast of a programme which has been broadcast before
There's nothing except repeats on TV.
Synonyms
rerun
replay
reproduction
reshowing
phrasal verb
See repeat itself
Usage note
Since the sense of again is already contained within the re- part of the word repeat, it is unnecessary to say that something is repeated again.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of duplicate
Definition
to do again (something that has already been done)
Scientists hope the work done can be duplicated elswhere.
Synonyms
repeat,
reproduce,
echo,
copy,
clone,
replicate
in the sense of echo
Definition
(of a place) to be filled with a sound and its echoes
The rumble of thunder echoed through the valley.
Synonyms
reverberate,
repeat,
resound,
ring,
resonate
in the sense of echo
Definition
a sound reflected by a solid object
I heard nothing but the echoes of my own voice in the cave.
Synonyms
reverberation,
ringing,
repetition,
answer,
resonance,
resounding
Synonyms of 'repeat'
repeat
Explore 'repeat' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of iterate
Definition
to say or do again
Synonyms
repeat,
go over,
reiterate (formal),
restate,
recap (informal),
recapitulate
in the sense of quote
Definition
to repeat (words) exactly from (an earlier work, speech, or conversation), usually with an acknowledgment of their source
Then suddenly he quoted a line from the play.
Synonyms
repeat,
recite,
reproduce,
recall,
echo,
extract,
excerpt,
proclaim,
parrot,
paraphrase,
retell
in the sense of recapitulate
Definition
to restate the main points of (an argument or speech)
Let's just recapitulate the essential points.
Synonyms
restate,
review,
repeat,
outline,
sum up,
recount,
reiterate (formal),
run over,
summarize,
epitomize,
recap (informal),
go over again,
run through again
in the sense of recite
Definition
to repeat (a poem or passage) aloud from memory before an audience
They recited poetry to one another.
Synonyms
perform,
relate,
deliver,
repeat,
rehearse,
declaim,
recapitulate,
do your party piece (informal)
in the sense of rehearse
Definition
to practise (a play, concert, etc.) for public performance
A group of actors are rehearsing a play about Joan of Arc.