rote

C1 Topic:General Vocabulary

US /ɹoʊt/ UK /ɹəʊt/ See IPA manual

Freq #46332

Meanings

1

noun
memorization or learning through repetition, often without full understanding

The class learned the multiplication table by rote before applying it to problems.
2

adj
performed mechanically from habit or repetition, with little thought or originality

Her apology sounded rote because she repeated the same words to everyone.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · memorization or learning... rote learningmemorizationrepetition

2 adj · performed mechanically from... mechanical routine automatic

Opposites

understanding reflection originality spontaneity

Word family

Derived forms rotelyroteness

Related forms rehearsal memory habit routine

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

rote learning
memorizing information by repeated practice rather than understanding

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From Middle English rote, first recorded in the phrase by rote and in the sense 'habit or custom.' Its deeper origin is unknown; proposed links to route or Latin rota, 'wheel,' are not securely established. The adjective developed from the noun's idea of unthinking repetition.

Topics

General Vocabulary

External links

# rote

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** noun, adj
**IPA (US):** /ɹoʊt/
**IPA (UK):** /ɹəʊt/
**Frequency rank:** 46332

## Meanings
1. memorization or learning through repetition, often without full understanding
2. performed mechanically from habit or repetition, with little thought or originality

## Examples
- The class learned the multiplication table by rote before applying it to problems.
- Her apology sounded rote because she repeated the same words to everyone.

## Synonyms
- rote learning
- memorization
- repetition
- mechanical
- routine
- automatic

## Antonyms
- understanding
- reflection
- originality
- spontaneity

## Derived Forms
- rotely
- roteness

## Related Forms
- rehearsal
- memory
- habit
- routine

## Etymology
From Middle English rote, first recorded in the phrase by rote and in the sense 'habit or custom.' Its deeper origin is unknown; proposed links to route or Latin rota, 'wheel,' are not securely established. The adjective developed from the noun's idea of unthinking repetition.

## Topics
- General Vocabulary

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