Monologous

Monologous is an adjective formed from mono- (one) and -logous (related to discourse or speech). It is not a standard term in contemporary English and appears only rarely in dictionaries or scholarly writing. Because its meaning is not fixed, its interpretation tends to depend on the context in which it is used.

In rhetoric and theatre, some writers use monologous to describe a text or performance dominated by a single speaker or by extended uninterrupted speech, effectively functioning like a monologue. In such cases, more common terms are monologic, monologue, or single-voice presentation. The use of monologous in these contexts is not widely established and may be considered stylistic or idiosyncratic.

In other disciplines, the term may appear as a neologism or as a translation artifact. When encountered outside of stylistic writing, monologous should be treated with caution: if used, its meaning should be explicitly defined to avoid ambiguity. Some editors may regard it as a nonstandard or redundant form of related words such as monologic or monologue.

Etymology traces the word to Greek roots meaning “one word” or “one speech.” Given its rarity and lack of formal definition, readers are advised to consult the author’s definition when encountering monologous and to favor established terms in formal writing.

See also: monologue, monologic.