Phrase

Quick meaning: Phrase is a noun meaning A short written or spoken expression.

Meaning

A short written or spoken expression.

More Meanings

1. (music) A small section of music in a larger piece.
2. (dance) A short individual motion forming part of a choreographed dance.
3. (transitive) To express (an action, thought or idea) by means of particular words.
4. (transitive, intransitive, music) To perform (a passage) with a particular phrasing.
5. (transitive, music) To divide into melodic phrases.
6. (grammar) A word or, more commonly, a group of words that functions as a single unit in the syntax of a sentence, always containing an expressed or implied head (the principal word or subgroup, with core importance) and often consisting of a head plus some other elaborating words.
7. (archaic) A mode or form of speech; diction; expression.

Example Sentences

These suns — for so they phrase 'em.

Thou speak'st / In better phrase and matter than thou didst.

Meronyms: head, complement, adjunct, supplement, modifier; term, word

I wasn't sure how to phrase my condolences without sounding patronising.

Word Forms

• phrases
• phrasing
• phrased

Synonyms for phrase

Depending on context, synonyms include locution, expression, articulate, formulate, idiom, word.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include articulate, idiom, word, formulate, wording, utterance.

Related Dictionary Tools