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 of phrase

Noun

• idiom
• expression

Verb

• say
• word
• express

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

The phrase first surfaced in early 2024 and has grown in popularity since, according to Know Your Meme. — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

The phrase is fitting, as Palacios has had to battle through a series of disruptions to his pro career, which started in 2018 as a third-round pick by Cleveland out of Towson (Maryland) University. — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026

Verb

That term has taken on a life of its own, as people are making dances to phrase and using it in conversation. — Moises Mendez Ii, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

It’s designed to interpret intent, so a request doesn’t necessarily have to be phrased as a precise smart home command. — Paul Lamkin, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for phrase

• baize
• bays
• blase
• blaze
• braes
• braze
• chaise
• claes
• clays
• craze
• dais
• days

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