paraphrase

1 of 2

noun

para·​phrase ˈper-ə-ˌfrāz 

ˈpa-rə-

1

: a restatement of a text, passage, or work giving the meaning in another form

The teacher asked the students to write a paraphrase of the poem.

2

: the use or process of paraphrasing in studying or teaching composition

paraphrase, which aims rather at recapturing the general impression of a foreign work

—Times Literary Supplement

paraphrase

2 of 2

verb

paraphrased; paraphrasing

intransitive verb

: to make a paraphrase

transitive verb

: to make a paraphrase of

paraphrasable

ˌper-ə-ˈfrā-zə-bəl 

ˌpa-rə-

adjective

paraphraser noun

Did you know?

When we paraphrase, we provide a version that can exist beside the original (rather than replace it). We paraphrase all the time. When you tell a friend what someone else has said, you're almost always paraphrasing, since you're not repeating the exact words. If you go to hear a talk, you might paraphrase the speaker's main points afterward for your friends. And when writing a paper on a short story, you might start off your essay with a paraphrase of the plot. Paraphrasing is especially useful when dealing with poetry, since poetic language is often difficult and poems may have meanings that are hard to pin down.

Synonyms

Noun

• rephrasing
• restatement
• restating
• rewording
• translating
• translation

Verb

• rephrase
• restate
• reword
• translate

Examples of paraphrase in a Sentence

Noun

This is just a paraphrase of what he said, not an exact quote.

your essays on human rights should have some original thought and not be simply a paraphrase of what's in the textbook

Verb

I'm paraphrasing, but he did say something like that.

could you paraphrase your diagnosis of my medical condition, using simpler language?

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That’s a gentle paraphrase of what was in this viewer’s letter. —James Barron, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2024

Judicial opinions even sometimes just copy things from the briefs or closely paraphrase prior opinions without citation; in a field that prioritizes precedent over originality, that is not a sin. —Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 20 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle French, from Latin paraphrasis, from Greek, from paraphrazein to paraphrase, from para- + phrazein to point out

First Known Use

Noun

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

paraphrase

1 of 2 noun

para·​phrase ˈpar-ə-ˌfrāz 

: a way of stating something (as a written work) again by giving the meaning in different words

paraphrase

2 of 2 verb

paraphrased; paraphrasing

: to give the meaning in different words

paraphrased the author's account

paraphraser noun