rote

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈrōt 

1

: the use of memory usually with little intelligence

learn by rote

2

: mechanical or unthinking routine or repetition

a joyless sense of order, rote, and commercial hustle

—L. L. King

rote

2 of 4

adjective

1

: learned or memorized by rote

2

: mechanical sense 3a

rotely adverb

rote

3 of 4

noun (2)

: crowd entry 3 sense 1

rote

4 of 4

noun (3)

: the noise of surf on the shore

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• drill
• grind
• groove
• lockstep
• pattern
• routine
• rut
• treadmill

Examples of rote in a Sentence

Noun (1)

learned the rote for the exercise warm-up but not the reasoning behind it

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For many couples, AI’s role will be limited to more rote activities like budgeting or managing schedules. —Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 20 Dec. 2024

It’s meant to be a familiar dynamic but edges uncomfortably into the predictable, the rote. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2024

Adjective

What seem like a rote story, though, takes a big dramatic, emotional turnaround that is refreshing and unique. —Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 29 Nov. 2024

So begins a big, broad, and absorbing story in which Atlus skillfully subverts and complicates its rote premise and setting. —Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German hruozza crowd

Noun (3)

perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse rauta to roar — more at rout entry 5

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1610, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

rote

1 of 2 noun

ˈrōt 

1

: the use of memory usually without thinking about it

learn by rote

repeat something by rote

2

: something done time after time in an automatic way or without thinking

rote

2 of 2 adjective

1

: done or learned by rote

rote learning of multiplication tables

a rote phrase

2

: done or carried out without engaging the mind or feelings

rote duties

ask a rote question