Phrase
Pronunciation
- enPR: frÄz, IPA: /fɹeɪz/
- Rhymes: -eɪz
- Homophones: frays
Origin
From Late Latin phrasis ("diction"), from Ancient Greek φÏάσις (phrasis, "manner of expression"), from φÏάζω (phrazÅ, "I tell, express").
Full definition of phrase
Noun
phrase
(plural phrases)- A short written or spoken expression.
- (grammar) A word or group of words that functions as a single unit in the syntax of a sentence, usually consisting of a head, or central word, and elaborating words.
- 2013-11-30, Paul Davis, Letters: Say it as simply as possible, Congratulations on managing to use the phrase “preponderant criterion†in a chart (“On your marksâ€, November 9th). Was this the work of a kakorrhaphiophobic journalist set a challenge by his colleagues, or simply an example of glossolalia?
- (music) A small section of music in a larger piece.
- (archaic) A mode or form of speech; diction; expression.
- Tennysonphrases of the hearth
- ShakespeareThou speak'st
In better phrase and matter than thou didst.
Synonyms
- (expression) figure of speech, locution
Derived terms
Verb
- (intransitive, music) To perform a passage with the correct phrasing.
- (transitive, music) To divide into melodic phrases.
- (transitive) To express (an action, thought or idea) by means of words.
- ShakespeareThese suns — for so they phrase 'em.