phrase

noun

A short written or spoken expression.

(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.

(music) A small section of music in a larger piece.

(dance) A short individual motion forming part of a choreographed dance.

(archaic) A mode or form of speech; diction; expression.

verb

(transitive) To express (an action, thought or idea) by means of particular words.

(transitive, intransitive, music) To perform (a passage) with a particular phrasing.

(transitive, music) To divide into melodic phrases.

Roots

phrasisphras- · Greek · speech

Synonyms for phrase

wordn idiomn phraseologyn catchwordn locutionn colloquialismn parlancen bywordn slogann aphorismn

Synonyms & related words for phrase

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Words related to phrase

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Synonyms for phrase

Common synonyms for phrase include word, idiom, phraseology, catchword, locution, colloquialism, parlance, byword — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does phrase come from?

The word phrase breaks down into one root of Greek origin: the root phras-, from Greek phrasis (“speech”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.