adjective
Common
repeating
rih-PEE-tihng
Repeating (adjective) means happening again and again in the same way. Example: “The wallpaper had a repeating pattern of vines.”
adjective
1
Happening again and again in the same way.
"The wallpaper had a repeating pattern of vines."
"The song has a repeating chorus that children quickly learn to sing."
"A repeating alarm sounded every five minutes until someone switched it off."
2
Describing a firearm that can fire multiple shots without reloading.
"The old museum displayed an early repeating rifle."
"The soldier carried a repeating pistol that held several rounds in one magazine."
"A repeating shotgun can be fired again quickly without being loaded each time."
How to use repeating
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRecurring in a cycle, whether that's a pattern, a decimal, or a gun mechanism.
Common pairings
repeating pattern
repeating decimal
repeating rifle
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Word forms
- Plural
- repeatings
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The wallpaper had a _____ pattern of vines.
Related words
Rhymes for repeating
See all rhymes for repeating →Frequently asked questions
What does “repeating” mean?
The word “repeating” means happening again and again in the same way. In plain terms, recurring in a cycle, whether that's a pattern, a decimal, or a gun mechanism.
How do you pronounce “repeating”?
“Repeating” is pronounced rih-PEE-tihng (/ɹɪˈpiːtɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “repeating” in a sentence?
Here is “repeating” used in a sentence: “The wallpaper had a repeating pattern of vines.”
What is another word for “repeating”?
Words with a similar meaning to “repeating” include repetitious.
What part of speech is “repeating”?
“Repeating” is an adjective.
Is “repeating” a common word?
“Repeating” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “repeating” have?
“Repeating” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: happening again and again in the same way.
What is the difference between "repeating" and "repetitive"?
"Repeating" describes something happening again and again in the same way, often in a neutral or ongoing sense, while "repetitive" often carries a more negative connotation, suggesting the repetition is tedious or excessive. "Repeating" is also used in technical contexts, such as a repeating firearm or a repeating decimal.
What is a repeating firearm?
A repeating firearm is a gun that can fire multiple shots without needing to be reloaded between each shot. This distinguishes it from single-shot firearms that require manual reloading after every discharge.
What is a repeating decimal in math?
A repeating decimal is a decimal number in which a digit or sequence of digits repeats infinitely, such as 0.333... This reflects the general sense of "repeating" as happening again and again in the same pattern.
