repetition

repetition — noun

1. The act of performing an action or uttering words more than once, typically to l

1.nounB1
Definition

The act of performing an action or uttering words more than once, typically to learn, practise, or reinforce.

Example

Learning a new language requires constant repetition of words and phrases.

requires + repetition of [something]

Caleb used flashcards to aid repetition when studying for his chemistry exam.

aid repetition

Common collocations
  • constant repetition
  • repetition of + [words/phrases/movements/drills]
  • require repetition
  • by/through repetition
  • endless repetition
  • mere repetition
Synonyms
  • repeating

    The gerund form, used when describing the action itself rather than the broader concept; less abstract

  • reiteration

    More formal, typically used for spoken or written statements rather than actions

  • recurrence

    Describes something that happens again on its own, not because someone actively repeats it

Antonyms
  • variety

    The quality of being different or diverse rather than doing the same thing over and over

  • originality

    Emphasises newness and creativity, the opposite of repeating existing material

Grammar Patterns

repetition + of + noun phrase

repetition + is + essential/required/key

Usage Note

Typically uncountable when referring to the general act; do not add '-s' for the activity itself (e.g. 'repetition helps', not 'repetitions help'). When the repeated item needs specifying, use the pattern 'repetition of + [noun phrase]'.

Common Mistakes

Repetition the exercises improved my skills.
Repetition of the exercises improved my skills.
Use 'of' to connect the repeated item to the act of repeating.
The job involves many repetitions of the same task.
The job involves a lot of repetition of the same task.
For the general act, use uncountable 'repetition' rather than the plural form.

2. An event or situation that is very similar to one that took place before, often

2.nounB2
Definition

An event or situation that is very similar to one that took place before, often when this outcome is unwelcome.

Example

The store changed suppliers to avoid a repetition of last month's shortage.

avoid a repetition of [something]

Layla's error was an unfortunate repetition of the mistake she had made the previous month.

a repetition of [someone's mistake]

Common collocations
  • a repetition of + [event/crisis/mistake]
  • avoid a repetition
  • prevent a repetition
  • lead to a repetition
  • call for a repetition
  • order a repetition
Synonyms
  • rerun

    More informal; describes an event that plays out the same way, often predictably

  • recurrence

    Neutral register; used especially for medical conditions, natural events, or patterns that return

  • replay

    Often used for sports or media events that are shown or experienced again

Antonyms
  • first occurrence

    The original instance that the repetition copies; the opposite of a repeat

  • novelty

    Something new and original rather than a repeat of past events

Grammar Patterns

a + repetition + of + noun phrase

avoid/prevent + a + repetition + of

Usage Note

In this sense 'repetition' is countable and nearly always appears with an article ('a' or 'another') followed by 'of' + noun phrase. The meaning is often negative, describing an unwanted repeat of a past problem or failure.

Common Mistakes

The flood was repetition of last year's disaster.
The flood was a repetition of last year's disaster.
In the 'repeated event' sense, 'repetition' is countable and requires an article.
The team wanted to avoid repetition of the mistake.' (when referring to a specific single event)
The team wanted to avoid a repetition of the mistake.
Use 'a' when pointing to one particular repeat of an event.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

While 'repetition' is the general noun for doing or saying something again, each synonym highlights a different shade. 'Repeating' (the gerund form) focuses on the action itself — 'constant repeating of the same phrase'. 'Reiteration' is more formal and typically applies to spoken or written statements, especially when someone restates an idea for emphasis or clarity. 'Recurrence' describes something that happens again on its own (like a disease or a pattern), not because someone actively repeats it. 'Duplication' suggests creating an identical copy, often with a deliberate, technical, or bureaucratic tone. For example, if a teacher asks a student to say the answer again, that is repetition or repeating. If doctors say an illness has returned, that is a recurrence. If a clerk makes a second identical form, that is duplication.

repeatingreiterationrecurrence ↗duplication ↗

Common collocations

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Repetition comes from Latin 'repetitio', from the verb 'repetere' meaning 'to do or say again'. 'Re-' means 'again', and 'petere' means 'to seek' or 'to aim for'. The word entered English through French in the 1500s, first used for the act of saying something again and later extended to actions and events.