phrase

play

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

See phrase defined for English-language learners

See phrase defined for kids

Examples of phrase in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of phrase from the Web

Most of Charnow's pieces thus begin with meaningful Hebrew and/or English phrases done in reverse calligraphy.

— randall p. lieberman, Jewish Journal, "Boynton Judaica artist to lead workshop for Israeli charity," 30 Aug. 2017
Phillies rookie Rhys Hoskins is off to a historic start in the truest sense of the phrase.

— daniel rapaport, SI.com, "WATCH: Rhys Hoskins Becomes Fastest Player in Modern Era to Hit Nine Homers," 26 Aug. 2017
The phrase rings true for more than just travel though—all sorts of activities and experiences can bring you more joy than any material object ever would.

— jessica mattern, Country Living, "Why Spending Your Money on Experiences—Not Things—Will Make You Happier," 24 Aug. 2017
But, again, Trump did not repeat the phrase that drew criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike and prompted several of his advisory boards to disband in protest.

— jonathan lemire, The Seattle Times, "AP FACT CHECK: Trump does what he accuses media of doing," 23 Aug. 2017
Trump once again defended Confederate statues remaining on public grounds, using the same phrases white supremacists use to defend the monuments to U.S. treason, hate and subjugation of human beings and fellow American citizens.

— jeff darcy, cleveland.com, "Trump flips on Afghanistan and national unity: Darcy cartoon," 23 Aug. 2017
Within months, 32 registered names had used the phrase.

— ailin tang, New York Times, "In China, Your Company’s Name Can’t Be a Mouthful," 18 Aug. 2017
Add in a few side plots with sight gags and catch phrases galore, and Act 1 flies like a runaway laugh train.

— patti restivo, Laurel Leader, "Bundles of energy in APL Drama Club's latest," 17 Aug. 2017
This Instagram community just so happens to take the phrase almost too literally.

— devon abelman, Allure, "The Weird World of Extreme Eye Accounts on Instagram," 16 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'phrase.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of phrase

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1530

See Words from the same year

phrase Synonyms

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

phrase

verb

Definition of phrase

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

See phrase defined for English-language learners

Examples of phrase in a Sentence

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 of phrase from the Web

In the orchestra, both numbers included solos for the guest concertmaster, Mateusz Wolski, who phrased sweetly and provided authoritative leadership in the first chair of the violins.

— janelle gelfand, Cincinnati.com, "Chamber Orchestra season finale electrifies," 27 Aug. 2017
Everything from catchy phrased light boxes to chic wall tapestries are present inside this college space.

— katelyn chef, Teen Vogue, "Texas State University Dorm Decor Transformation," 23 Aug. 2017
Even to phrase the question is to confront the depressing answer.

— david frum, The Atlantic, "Will Congress Hold Russia Accountable for the Behavior Trump Excuses?," 9 July 2017
A better way to phrase this would be, what are the menu of options being considered?

— lauren fox and phil mattingly, CNN, "The closed-door drama of the health care talks," 12 June 2017
Please tell me the answer is obvious when it’s phrased this way.

— carolyn hax, idahostatesman, "Groom bolts but considers bride the villain," 26 May 2017
The extended piano solo that ends Schumann's cycle -- repeating the music from the beginning, as if to say this woman's life might have another chapter -- was phrased by Martineau with particular incisiveness.

— tim smith, baltimoresun.com, "Susan Graham, Malcolm Martineau give brilliant recital at Shriver Hall," 26 Apr. 2017
Still, interacting with bots isn’t perfect, and the way a sentence is phrased can confuse the computer programs, which mimic human conversation.

— queenie wong, The Mercury News, "Facebook Messenger aims to make it easier to chat with businesses through bots," 18 Apr. 2017
But every Pettibon phrasing sounds like a quotation from someone else, often in the formal, slightly stilted tones of a Victorian wordsmith.

— peter schjeldahl, The New Yorker, "The Enigmatic Art of Raymond Pettibon," 13 Feb. 2017

First Known Use of phrase

1556

phrase Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Related Words

craft, frame; hint, imply, insinuate, intimate, suggest; paraphrase, rephrase, restate, reword, summarize, translate; communicate, disclose, speak, talk, tell, utter, verbalize, vocalize; describe, render, write up

PHRASE Defined for English Language Learners

phrase

play

noun

Definition of phrase for English Language Learners

: a group of two or more words that express a single idea but do not usually form a complete sentence
: a brief expression that is commonly used
music : a short section of a longer piece of music