phrase

noun \ ˈfrāz \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Examples: phrase in a Sentence

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

That phrase echoes around the story like a whisper in a cave.

— anthony lane, The New Yorker, "“Hereditary” Delivers a New Kind of Horror," 7 June 2018
One is that phrases are more than the sum of their dictionary definitions.

— The Economist, "What does it mean to “bear arms”?," 7 June 2018
The phrase on Rae’s belt was a something of a last-minute addition to the look.

— steff yotka, Vogue, "The Making of Issa Rae’s Resplendent CFDA Dress," 5 June 2018
The phrase is a nod to a common hospitality greeting uttered by folks who work in the restaurant and market scenes in the Philippines.

— jean trinh, Los Angeles Magazine, "What to Expect at Ma’am Sir, Silver Lake’s Newest Filipino Restaurant and Bar," 31 May 2018
It was well known in Microsoft, that phrase was used.

— recode staff, Recode, "Full video and transcript: Microsoft President Brad Smith at Code 2018," 30 May 2018
That phrase summed up a special Zumba event called the Zumbathon, which was organized to benefit local Zumba instructor Mary Jo Bellinger.

— erik s. hanley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Zumbathon fundraiser raises $1,500 for Franklin Zumba instructor diagnosed with cancer," 22 May 2018
For example, some of the questions included phrases a Chicagoan would deem grammatically incorrect but a Manitoban would think is perfectly acceptable English.

— dana g. smith, Scientific American, "At What Age Does Our Ability to Learn a New Language Like a Native Speaker Disappear?," 4 May 2018
Traditionally, that phrase refers to a law that makes the tax code simpler, more economically efficient and progressive, and less vulnerable to abuse — all without losing any significant revenue.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Looks Like Trump Genuinely Enacted (a Tiny Bit of) Tax ‘Reform’," 25 Apr. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

phrase Synonyms

Synonyms

expression, idiom;

Related Words

cliché (also cliche);

locution, term;

epithet, expletive, name;

byword, cry, motto, shibboleth, slogan, watchword;

archaism, colloquialism, euphemism, modernism, neologism, provincialism, vulgarism;

Phrases

figure of speech;

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

The piano part — clearly articulated and sensitively phrased by Anne-Marie McDermott — is not overly virtuosic but delights in its unexpected wanderings.

— christian hertzog, sandiegouniontribune.com, "A rare, fiery performance of a Rebel ballet kicks off Mainly Mozart Festival," 10 June 2018
All that was left was to figure out creative language for how that constraint would be phrased that everyone could support.

— josh lederman, Fox News, "Behind the scenes of Trump's decision to abandon Iran deal," 11 May 2018
Or, phrased another way, the multiverse represents the end of science.

— brian resnick, Vox, "Stephen Hawking’s final paper makes a hopeful case for the limits of existence," 3 May 2018
All are expected to want a voice in Republican strategy for Mr. Trump in the midterms, adding only more chaos, as one White House official phrased it, to an already unruly presidency.

— jonathan martin, alexander burns and maggie haberman, New York Times, "Trump’s Role in Midterm Elections Roils Republicans," 28 Apr. 2018
The film praises his timing, phrasing, producing skills and dynamic style.

— hal boedeker, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Elvis Presley: HBO film salutes NBC special," 6 Apr. 2018
There were places where some critics...felt like the way things were phrased was anti-American.

— zoë schlanger, Newsweek, "Revised AP U.S. History Standards Will Emphasize American Exceptionalism," 29 July 2015
The inclination among officers, Stoughton said, is not to record footage of an officer unwinding moments after a shooting because officers may not phrase things in the right way.

— amir vera, CNN, "Officers muted body cameras in Stephon Clark shooting. Why?," 25 Mar. 2018
Ok, maybe not the best way to phrase that, but alas, Bill Hader's hosting gig on SNL gave us the greatest gift of all: the return of Stefon.

— justin kirkland, USA TODAY, "Stefon returns to 'SNL' and we are blessed for it," 18 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of phrase

1556

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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;

describe, render, write up;

PHRASE Defined for English Language Learners

phrase

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