repetitiveness
|re-pe-ti-tive-ness|
/rɪˌpɛtɪˈtɪvnəs/
state or quality of repeating
Etymology
'repetitiveness' originates from Modern English, specifically from the adjective 'repetitive' plus the nominalizing suffix '-ness', where 'repetitive' derives from Late Latin 'repetitivus' (from Latin 'repetere').
'repetitiveness' was formed in Modern English by adding '-ness' to 'repetitive'; 'repetitive' came into English via Old French/Latin influences from Late Latin 'repetitivus', ultimately from Latin 'repetere' ('re-' + 'petere').
Initially related to the action 'to repeat' (Latin 'repetere' meaning 'to repeat' or 'seek again'), over time the derived adjective 'repetitive' and the noun 'repetitiveness' came to denote the characteristic or quality of repeating, including the sense of tedious repetition.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the quality or state of being repetitive; the frequent recurrence of the same action, statement, or pattern.
The repetitiveness of the training drills helped the team master the basics.
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Noun 2
the tedious or boring quality that results from too much repetition (often used in a critical sense).
Listeners complained about the repetitiveness of the playlist; the same songs kept playing.
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Last updated: 2025/12/26 06:02