noun

echolalia

ek-oh-LAY-lee-uh

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Echolalia (noun) means the involuntary repeating of words or phrases just spoken by someone else, which may happen immediately or after a delay. Example: “The therapist noted the child's echolalia, repeating exactly what had just been said to him.”

noun

The involuntary repeating of words or phrases just spoken by someone else, which may happen immediately or after a delay.

"The therapist noted the child's echolalia, repeating exactly what had just been said to him."

"His echolalia meant he would repeat a question back instead of answering it."

A baby's natural repetition of sounds it hears another person make, occurring during early development.

"The baby's echolalia showed she was starting to babble back sounds from her parents."

"Echolalia in infants is considered a normal stage on the way to learning speech."

How to use echolalia

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRepeating back words or sounds someone else just said.

When to use it

It's a clinical term used mainly in psychology, speech therapy and child development.

Memory tip

It can be either an involuntary clinical symptom or a normal stage of a baby learning to talk.

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Easily confused with

echolocation

Common pairings

delayed echolalia immediate echolalia echolalia in autism signs of echolalia

Vocabulary Flow

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The therapist noted the child's _____, repeating exactly what had just been said to him.

Etymology

Echolalia joins echo-, which traces back to the Ancient Greek word for a reflected sound, with -lalia, from a Greek word meaning talk or chat.

Origin: English

Rhymes for echolalia

Odia aria India ataxia abulia Latvia acacia LGBTQIA ectasia hryvnia begonia anaemia

See all rhymes for echolalia →

Frequently asked questions

What is echolalia?

It's the repeating of words or phrases that someone else has just said, either right away or after a delay.

Is echolalia linked to autism?

Clinical psychology recognises it as a feature sometimes seen in autistic people, though it also occurs normally in infants.

Is echolalia normal in babies?

Yes, repeating sounds spoken by others is a natural part of early infant development.

What is the meaning of echolalia?

"echolalia" (noun) means the involuntary repeating of words or phrases just spoken by someone else, which may happen immediately or after a delay.