WordGarden.ioreprise
C2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /rɪˈpraɪz/
Meanings
Noun
a repeated passage or return of earlier musical material
a repeat performance or return to an earlier role, song, or theme
Verb
to perform, repeat, or take up again, especially an earlier role or musical part
Beyond the definition
Imagine a beautiful song in a musical. The singer performs it once, and the audience remembers it. Later in the show, the song comes back, maybe shorter or with a different feeling. That is a reprise.
Most often, "reprise" means a return of something heard or seen before, especially in music, theater, film, or writing. It can be a repeated song, a familiar theme, or a part that comes back with a new purpose. The word can also be used as a verb, especially when someone performs the same role or brings back the same idea again.
The word "reprise" centers on the idea of bringing something back again. Very often, it refers to a part of a song, musical, or other performance that returns after appearing earlier. It may come back exactly the same way, but more often it returns with some change in mood, meaning, or timing.
This is why the word is common in music and theater. A melody may return near the end of a show. A line from an earlier scene may appear again and suddenly feel sadder, warmer, or more powerful because of what has happened in the story. In that sense, a reprise is not just repetition. It is a return that adds something.
The word can also be used more broadly for themes, images, or ideas that come back in writing, film, or art. A novel may bring back an earlier image. A film may return to a familiar visual pattern. In each case, the effect is that something known reappears and gains new weight.
As a verb, "reprise" is also used, though less often than the noun. Someone may reprise a role in a later production or film, meaning they play the same part again. More generally, a speaker or writer may reprise an earlier point or theme.
So when you see or hear "reprise," think of something returning: a melody, a role, a theme, or an idea coming back into the present, often changed just enough to matter.
Examples
- 1
Musical theater
Near the end of the musical, the cast sang a soft reprise of the opening song.
- 2
Acting role
She will reprise her role as the detective in the sequel.
- Patternreprise a role
play the same character again
- 3
Public speech
In his closing remarks, the mayor reprised the main points from his earlier speech.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- musical reprise
- reprise of a theme
- brief reprise
- final reprise
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- reprisenounverb
Forms
- reprising-ing formverbnoun
- reprisedpast tenseverbnoun
- reprisespluralnounverb