Definitions for paraphrase
ˈpær əˌfreɪzpara·phrase

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:5.0 / 3 votes

1. paraphrase, paraphrasisverb

   rewording for the purpose of clarification

2. paraphrase, rephrase, rewordverb

   express the same message in different words

WiktionaryRate this definition:4.7 / 3 votes

1. paraphrasenoun

   a restatement of a text in different words, often to clarify meaning

2. paraphrasenoun

   a similar restatement as an educational exercise

3. paraphraseverb

   to restate something as, or to compose a paraphrase

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. PARAPHRASEnoun

   A loose interpretation; an explanation in many words.

   Etymology: παϱάφϱασις; paraphrase, Fr.

   All the laws of nations were but a paraphrase upon this standing rectitude of nature, that was ready to enlarge itself into suitable determinations, upon all emergent objects and occasions. Robert South, Sermons.

   In paraphrase, or translation with latitude, the author’s words are not so strictly followed as his sense, and that too amplified, but not altered: such is Mr. Waller’s translation of Virgil ’s fourth Æneid. Dryden.

2. To Paraphraseverb

   To interpret with laxity of expression; to translate loosely.

   Etymology: paraphraser, Fr. παϱάφϱαζω.

   We are put to construe and paraphrase our own words, to free ourselves from the ignorance and malice of our adversaries. Edward Stillingfleet, Def. of Dis. on Romish Idolatry.

   What needs he paraphrase on what we mean,
   We were at worst but wanton; he’s obscene. Dryden.

   Where translation is impracticable, they may paraphrase. —— But it is intolerable, that under a pretence of paraphrasing and translating, a way should be suffered of treating authors to a manifest disadvantage. Henry Felton, on the Classicks.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Paraphrase

   A paraphrase () is a restatement of the meaning of a text or passage using other words. The term itself is derived via Latin paraphrasis, from Ancient Greek παράφρασις (paráphrasis) 'additional manner of expression'. The act of paraphrasing is also called paraphrasis.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. paraphrase

   A paraphrase is a restatement or rewording of something spoken or written, often for the purpose of clarification or simplification, while retaining the original meaning. It could be a sentence, a passage, or the entire work being rewritten in other words.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:4.3 / 7 votes

1. Paraphrasenoun

   a restatement of a text, passage, or work, expressing the meaning of the original in another form, generally for the sake of its clearer and fuller exposition; a setting forth the signification of a text in other and ampler terms; a free translation or rendering; -- opposed to metaphrase

2. Paraphraseverb

   to express, interpret, or translate with latitude; to give the meaning of a passage in other language

3. Paraphraseverb

   to make a paraphrase

4. Etymology: [L. paraphrasis, Gr. para`frasis, from parafra`zein to say the same thing in other words; para` beside + fra`zein to speak: cf. F. paraphrase. See Para-, and Phrase.]

WikidataRate this definition:3.0 / 3 votes

1. Paraphrase

   A paraphrase is a restatement of the meaning of a text or passage using other words. The term itself is derived via Latin paraphrasis from Greek παράφρασις, meaning "additional manner of expression". The act of paraphrasing is also called "paraphrasis". A paraphrase typically explains or clarifies the text that is being paraphrased. For example, "The signal was red" might be paraphrased as "The train was not allowed to pass because the signal was red". A paraphrase is usually introduced with a verbum dicendi​—​a declaratory expression to signal the transition to the paraphrase. For example, in "The signal was red, that is, the train was not allowed to proceed," the that is signals the paraphrase that follows. A paraphrase does not need to accompany a direct quotation, but when this is so, the paraphrase typically serves to put the source's statement into perspective or to clarify the context in which it appeared. A paraphrase is typically more detailed than a summary. One should add the source at the end of the sentence, for example: When the light was red trains could not go. Paraphrase may attempt to preserve the essential meaning of the material being paraphrased. Thus, the reinterpretation of a source to infer a meaning that is not explicitly evident in the source itself qualifies as "original research," and not as paraphrase.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Paraphrase

   par′a-frāz, n. a saying of the same thing in other words, often more fully and more clearly: an explanation of a passage: a loose or free translation: (Scot.) one of a certain number of Scripture passages turned into verse for use in the service of praise.—v.t. to say the same thing in other words: to render more fully: to interpret or translate freely.—v.i. to make a paraphrase.—n. Par′aphrast, one who paraphrases.—adjs. Paraphrast′ic, -al, of the nature of a paraphrase: more clear and ample than the original passage: free, loose, diffuse.—adv. Paraphrast′ically.—Paraphrastic conjugation, one composed of the verb sum (am) with participial forms of the verbs conjugated (amaturus sum, &c.). [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. paraphrasis—para, beside, phrasis, a speaking—phrazein, to speak.]

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How to pronounce paraphrase?

1. Alex

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How to say paraphrase in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of paraphrase in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of paraphrase in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of paraphrase in a Sentence

1. Mark van Doren:

   An unexamined idea, to paraphrase Socrates, is not worth having and a society whose ideas are never explored for possible error may eventually find its foundations insecure.

2. Peter Buffett:

   I paraphrase it as 'your money or your life,' but (I am) living proof that I would much rather have invested in myself, taken the time and grown my own life with all the mistakes and all the successes and everything else that I can say is mine as opposed to have a pile of money that essentially belonged to somebody else's success.

3. Debbie Wasserman Schultz:

   Not on my watch, i will never be in a situation where when someone comes for anyone that there will be no one left to speak for me because I did not speak up. That is a paraphrase of a poem that is on the walls of the United States Holocaust Museum.

4. Dr. Laura Schlessinger:

   If you're bored, you're boring....get a life....try something new, take a class, be interesting. (This is not an exact quote but a paraphrase)

5. Arigon Starr:

   To paraphrase from Michael's work -- Native people have been relegated to the sidekick, shaman, overly sexualized or super tracker characters, we are rarely the main character or the hero.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=paraphrase
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Paraphrase
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=paraphrase
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraphrase
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paraphrase
7. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=paraphrase
8. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=paraphrase