phrase

1 of 2

noun

ˈfrāz 

1

: a characteristic manner or style of expression : diction

2

a

: a brief expression

especially : catchphrase

b

: word

3

: a short musical thought typically two to four measures long closing with a cadence

4

: a word or group of words forming a syntactic constituent with a single grammatical function

an adverbial phrase

5

: a series of dance movements comprising a section of a pattern

phrase

2 of 2

verb

phrased; phrasing

transitive verb

1

a

: to express in words or in appropriate or telling terms

b

: to designate by a descriptive word or phrase

2

: to divide into melodic phrases

Synonyms

Noun

• expression
• idiom

Verb

• articulate
• clothe
• couch
• express
• formulate
• put
• say
• state
• word

Examples of phrase in a Sentence

Noun

Answer the questions in complete sentences, not phrases.

She used the phrase “I strongly believe” too many times in her speech.

Underline the key words or phrases in the paragraph.

To borrow a phrase from my mother, I spend too much time “watching the boob tube” and not enough time outside.

Verb

He phrased his version of the story in a way that made him look good.

The question was awkwardly phrased.

The singer phrased the music beautifully.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Point out any generic phrases, weak transitions, or sections that need more punch. —Jodie Cook, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

Confronted with a forgotten or unknown word, humans will remix phrases to get a point across. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 12 Dec. 2024

Verb

Ultimately, the 2024 election presents us with the opportunity to pick a definitive side in America's roiling cold civil war, which this column has often phrased as that between the forces of civilizational sanity and the forces of civilizational arson. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

Consider that the way the team phrased the QB dynamic after Wilson signed led Kenny Pickett to ask for a trade. —Mike Defabo, The Athletic, 24 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin phrasis, from Greek, from phrazein to point out, explain, tell

First Known Use

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing phrase

• noun phrase
• phrase book
• prepositional phrase
• turn of phrase

Kids Definition

phrase

1 of 2 noun

ˈfrāz 

1

: a brief expression

especially : one commonly used

2

: a small unit of a musical passage usually several measures long

3

: a group of two or more words that express a single idea but do not form a complete sentence

"out the door" in "they ran out the door" is a phrase

phrasal

ˈfrā-zəl

adjective

phrasally

-zə-lē

adverb

phrase

2 of 2 verb

phrased; phrasing

1

: to express in words

2

: to divide into musical phrases