phrase

¹phrase

noun \ˈfrāz\

Definition of PHRASE

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

Examples of PHRASE

1. Answer the questions in complete sentences, not phrases.
2. She used the phrase “I strongly believe” too many times in her speech.
3. Underline the key words or phrases in the paragraph.
4. To borrow a phrase from my mother, I spend too much time “watching the boob tube” and not enough time outside.

Origin of PHRASE

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

First Known Use: 1530

Related to PHRASE

Synonyms: expression, idiom, figure of speech

Related Words: cliché (also cliche); locution, term; epithet, expletive, name; byword, cry, motto, shibboleth, slogan, watchword; archaism, colloquialism, euphemism, modernism, neologism, provincialism, vulgarism

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Rhymes with PHRASE

baize, blaze, braise, braze, chaise, craze, days, daze, faze, fraise, gaze, glaze, graze, Hays, haze, lase, laze, maize, Mays, maze, phase, praise, raise, raze, vase, ways