phrasing

noun

phras·​ing ˈfrā-ziŋ 

1

: style of expression : phraseology

2

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

Synonyms

• articulation
• expression
• formulation
• statement
• utterance
• verbalism
• voice
• wording

Examples of phrasing in a Sentence

The phrasing of the instructions was confusing.

a singer known for her elegant phrasing

Recent Examples on the Web

Subtle issues in tone, pacing, phrasing, body language or focus can quietly erode trust and make pitches feel less convincing, even when the offer itself is strong. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025

Disorder Prosody Prosody includes the various pitch, volume, rhythm, tone, phrasing, and tempo used in speech, which are necessary for communicating emotions and nuances when speaking. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 14 May 2025

Yet there’s still a vast distance between Love’s raw, arena-friendly confessionals and Malkmus’ jagged phrasing and artful deconstruction. —Scott Tobias, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025

Despite country phrasing and a fiddle in the band, Vandoliers’ live show leans heavily punk. —Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for phrasing

• blazing
• brazing
• crazing
• gazing
• glazing
• grazing
• hazing
• lasing
• phasing
• praising
• raising
• razing

Kids Definition

phrasing

noun

phras·​ing

ˈfrā-ziŋ

1

: phraseology sense 1

2

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