noun

rote

roht

noun

A fixed, mechanical way of doing or repeating something, without real understanding.

"The children memorized the poem by rote."

"Rote learning can get facts into your head without teaching you why they're true."

adj

Done automatically through repetition rather than genuine thought.

"His apology sounded rote, like he'd said it a hundred times before."

How to Use Rote

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMemorizing or repeating something mechanically, without necessarily understanding it.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "wrote" (past tense of write) — they sound identical but are unrelated.

Easily confused with

wrote route →

Common pairings

rote learning by rote rote memorization

Word Forms

more rote comparative, roted past tense, rotes plural, rotes singular, most rote superlative

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The children memorized the poem by _____.

Etymology

From Middle English rote, "custom, habit," seen in the old phrase "bi rote" (by heart) — its deeper origin is uncertain, and despite the tempting resemblance, dictionaries don't actually connect it to "rotary" or "wheel."

Rhymes for rote

vote note dote tote quote remote coyote capote peyote devote denote promote

See all rhymes for rote →