adjective
Uncommon
repetitive
rih-PEH-tih-tihv
Repetitive (adjective) means involving the same action or thing done over and over, often to the point of being tedious. Example: “The factory job was repetitive and physically tiring.”
adjective
1
Involving the same action or thing done over and over, often to the point of being tedious.
"The factory job was repetitive and physically tiring."
"His speech grew repetitive after the first ten minutes."
How to use repetitive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDoing or saying the same thing again and again, often in a boring or straining way.
Common pairings
repetitive tasks
repetitive strain injury
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more repetitive
- Superlative
- most repetitive
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The factory job was _____ and physically tiring.
Etymology
From Latin repetitus plus the adjective suffix -ive.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for repetitive
See all rhymes for repetitive →Frequently asked questions
What does “repetitive” mean?
The word “repetitive” means involving the same action or thing done over and over, often to the point of being tedious. In plain terms, doing or saying the same thing again and again, often in a boring or straining way.
How do you pronounce “repetitive”?
“Repetitive” is pronounced rih-PEH-tih-tihv (/ɹɪˈpɛtɪtɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “repetitive” in a sentence?
Here is “repetitive” used in a sentence: “The factory job was repetitive and physically tiring.”
What is the opposite of “repetitive”?
The opposite of “repetitive” — its antonyms — are nonrecurrent, nonrecurring, nonrepeating and nonrepetitional.
What part of speech is “repetitive”?
“Repetitive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “repetitive” come from?
The word “repetitive” comes from Latin. From Latin repetitus plus the adjective suffix -ive.
Is “repetitive” a common word?
“Repetitive” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between repetitive and repeated?
Repeated simply describes something that has happened more than once, without any judgment about it, as in "repeated attempts." Repetitive carries a stronger sense of monotony or tedium, describing an action or thing done over and over to the point of being boring.
What is the difference between repetitive and redundant?
Repetitive describes an action or pattern that recurs tediously, such as repetitive movements in a job. Redundant describes something that is unnecessary because it duplicates something already present, such as redundant wording in a sentence. Repetitive is about recurrence over time; redundant is about needless duplication.
Why is repetitive used to describe strain injuries?
The term 'repetitive strain injury' uses 'repetitive' because the condition results from the same physical action being performed over and over, which gradually stresses muscles and joints. The word highlights that it is the repeated nature of the motion, not a single event, that causes the harm.
