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tautological — using or characterized by tautology; needlessly repetitive in meaning

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: using or characterized by tautology; needlessly repetitive in meaning

Pronunciation (IPA): /tɔːtəˈlɑːdʒɪkəl/

Example Sentences

  • Saying 'PIN number' is tautological because PIN already means Personal Identification Number.
  • His tautological explanation that 'bachelors are unmarried because they're not married' didn't help anyone understand.
  • The professor criticized the student's tautological thesis for lacking original insights.

tautological

ADJECTIVE

[/tɔːtəˈlɑːdʒɪkəl/]

using or characterized by tautology; needlessly repetitive in meaning

a business presenter points at a whiteboard while speaking the same point over and over again. The presenter gestures repeatedly to identical diagrams showing the exact same information. The audience members look increasingly bored and frustrated as they hear the same message multiple times. Some colleagues check their watches while others roll their eyes at the unnecessary repetition. One person in the back row covers their face with their hands in exasperation.  communication that uses needlessly repetitive meaning without adding any new information
💡 Concept

a business presenter points at a whiteboard while speaking the same point over and over again. The presenter gestures repeatedly to identical diagrams showing the exact same information. The audience members look increasingly bored and frustrated as they hear the same message multiple times. Some colleagues check their watches while others roll their eyes at the unnecessary repetition. One person in the back row covers their face with their hands in exasperation. communication that uses needlessly repetitive meaning without adding any new information

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/tɔːtəˈlɑːdʒɪkəl/
🇬🇧 UK/tɔːtəˈlɒdʒɪkəl/

🌳Etymology

Roottauto
Suffix-ical

Origin

From Greek 'tautos' meaning 'the same' and 'logos' meaning 'word' or 'speech'. The term describes statements that repeat the same idea in different words, making them redundant.

Breakdown

tauto- (the same) + log- (word/speech) + -ical (adjective suffix meaning 'relating to')

🎵Rhyme

logical
biological
psychological

🔗Collocations

tautological statement
tautological reasoning
tautological definition
tautological argument
tautological expression

📝Examples

“Saying 'PIN number' is tautological because PIN already means Personal Identification Number.”

😄 Fun example

“His tautological explanation that 'bachelors are unmarried because they're not married' didn't help anyone understand.”

“The professor criticized the student's tautological thesis for lacking original insights.”

📚Related Words

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