phrasing

noun phras·ing \ ˈfrā-ziŋ \

Updated on: 23 May 2018

Definition of phrasing

1 : style of expression : phraseology

2 : the act, method, or result of grouping notes into musical phrases

See phrasing defined for English-language learners

See phrasing defined for kids

Examples of phrasing in a Sentence

The phrasing of the instructions was confusing.
a singer known for her elegant phrasing

Recent Examples of phrasing from the Web

And a simple search for that phrasing at least points to possible culprits.

— david meyer, Fortune, "FTC Confirms What We Suspected All Along: Those 'Warranty Void If Removed' Stickers Are No Good," 11 Apr. 2018
Interesting phrasing from Zuckerberg on a question about Facebook, ads and its business model.

— jason abbruzzese, NBC News, "latest posts from," 10 Apr. 2018
The content of the album introduced the rest of the world to ZZ's way with phrasing.

— craig hlavaty, Houston Chronicle, "How ZZ Top's 'Eliminator' became one of the best-selling albums of all time," 22 Mar. 2018
The guitar solo was trance-y, and Reed’s phrasing was so New York.

— WSJ, "A Walk on the Wild Side With Lou Reed," 13 Mar. 2018
Keeping the music moving with rubato phrasing of the utmost idiomatic naturalness is something Russian conductors like Bychkov do better than any.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Semyon Bychkov electrifies Orchestra Hall with blazing CSO account of Tchaikovsky's 'Manfred'," 4 May 2018
First, the questions listed in the Times may not be verbatim, so nuances in their original phrasing may have been lost.

— matt ford, The New Republic, "Five Questions for Trump That Are Missing From Robert Mueller’s List," 1 May 2018
The lower center of gravity, the undulant torsos and the uninhibited phrasing certainly make this the sexiest of the festival entries.

— allan ulrich, San Francisco Chronicle, "Pita’s ‘Bjork Ballet’ a stunning work in S.F. Ballet’s final Unbound program," 27 Apr. 2018
In the message, the singer expressed regret over his phrasing and a desire to move forward regarding discussions about mental health in a more prudent manner.

— tamar herman, Billboard, "2018 Sees K-pop Stars Addressing Mental Health Stressors in Industry," 23 Apr. 2018

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

First Known Use of phrasing

1611

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

phrasing Synonyms

Synonyms

articulation, expression, formulation, statement, utterance, voice, wording;

Related Words

outlet, vent;

observation, reflection, remark, thought;

speech, tongue;

PHRASING Defined for English Language Learners

phrasing

noun

Definition of phrasing for English Language Learners

: the way something is expressed in words : the particular words or the order of words that are used to express something
music : the act of grouping notes together in a particular way

Learn More about phrasing

See words that rhyme with phrasing Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for phrasing Nglish: Translation of phrasing for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up phrasing? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

phrasing

Definition of phrasing

Examples of phrasing in a Sentence

Recent Examples of phrasing from the Web

First Known Use of phrasing

phrasing Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

PHRASING Defined for English Language Learners

phrasing

Definition of phrasing for English Language Learners

Learn More about phrasing

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

homogeneous

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

'Deprived' vs. 'Depraved'

'Folksonomy': Let’s Get Organized

12 Words from All Over the Map

'Ingenious' and 'Ingenuous': More Than a Typo

Ask the Editors

Ghost Word

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Spell It

Dictionary Devil

'Deprived' vs. 'Depraved'

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

12 Words from All Over the Map

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word

phrasing

Definition of phrasing

Examples of phrasing in a Sentence

Recent Examples of phrasing from the Web

First Known Use of phrasing

phrasing Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

PHRASING Defined for English Language Learners

phrasing

Definition of phrasing for English Language Learners

Learn More about phrasing

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Deprived' vs. 'Depraved'

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

12 Words from All Over the Map

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word