Definition

Relating to a statement that repeats the same idea in different words, making it unnecessary or redundant.

Example

The phrase 'free gift' is tautologous because a gift is always free.

Conversation

Have you ever noticed how some explanations can be completely tautologous?

Totally! It’s like they just repeat the same idea over and over.

Right? I find it frustrating when people use tautologous phrases instead of being clear.

Exactly! It makes communication so much harder.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Tautologous → It is formed from "tauto-" (from Greek "tautologos", meaning the same word) and "-logous" (from Greek "logos", meaning word or reason). The word describes a statement that repeats the same idea using different words, hence being redundant.

Memory Tip

Think of 'the same' ('tauto-') and 'word' ('logos') to remember that 'tautologous' refers to something that repeats the same idea.

Visually Confused Words