Definitions for phrase
freɪzphrase

Princeton's WordNet(3.33 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. phrase(noun)

   an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence

2. phrase, musical phrase(noun)

   a short musical passage

3. idiom, idiomatic expression, phrasal idiom, set phrase, phrase(noun)

   an expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up

4. phrase(verb)

   dance movements that are linked in a single choreographic sequence

5. give voice, formulate, word, phrase, articulate(verb)

   put into words or an expression

   "He formulated his concerns to the board of trustees"

6. phrase(verb)

   divide, combine, or mark into phrases

   "phrase a musical passage"

Wiktionary(2.50 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. phrase(Noun)

   A short written or spoken expression.

   Etymology: From phrasis, from φράσις, from φράζω.

2. phrase(Noun)

   A word or group of words that functions as a single unit in the syntax of a sentence, usually consisting of a head, or central word, and elaborating words.

   Etymology: From phrasis, from φράσις, from φράζω.

3. phrase(Noun)

   A small section of music in a larger piece.

   Etymology: From phrasis, from φράσις, from φράζω.

4. phrase(Verb)

   To perform a passage with the correct phrasing.

   Etymology: From phrasis, from φράσις, from φράζω.

5. phrase(Verb)

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

   Etymology: From phrasis, from φράσις, from φράζω.

6. phrase(Verb)

   To divide into melodic phrases.

   Etymology: From phrasis, from φράσις, from φράζω.

Webster Dictionary(3.33 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Phrase(noun)

   a brief expression, sometimes a single word, but usually two or more words forming an expression by themselves, or being a portion of a sentence; as, an adverbial phrase

   Etymology: [F., fr. L. phrasis diction, phraseology, Gr. , fr. to speak.]

2. Phrase(noun)

   a short, pithy expression; especially, one which is often employed; a peculiar or idiomatic turn of speech; as, to err is human

   Etymology: [F., fr. L. phrasis diction, phraseology, Gr. , fr. to speak.]

3. Phrase(noun)

   a mode or form of speech; the manner or style in which any one expreses himself; diction; expression

   Etymology: [F., fr. L. phrasis diction, phraseology, Gr. , fr. to speak.]

4. Phrase(noun)

   a short clause or portion of a period

   Etymology: [F., fr. L. phrasis diction, phraseology, Gr. , fr. to speak.]

5. Phrase(verb)

   to express in words, or in peculiar words; to call; to style

   Etymology: [F., fr. L. phrasis diction, phraseology, Gr. , fr. to speak.]

6. Phrase(verb)

   to use proper or fine phrases

   Etymology: [F., fr. L. phrasis diction, phraseology, Gr. , fr. to speak.]

7. Phrase(verb)

   to group notes into phrases; as, he phrases well. See Phrase, n., 4

   Etymology: [F., fr. L. phrasis diction, phraseology, Gr. , fr. to speak.]

Freebase(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Phrase

   In everyday speech, a phrase may refer to any group of words. In linguistics, a phrase is a group of words that form a constituent and so function as a single unit in the syntax of a sentence. A phrase is lower on the grammatical hierarchy than a clause.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Phrase

   frāz, n. two or more words expressing a single idea by themselves, or showing the manner or style in which a person expresses himself: part of a sentence: a short pithy expression: phraseology: (mus.) a short clause or portion of a sentence.—v.t. to express in words: to style.—n. Phrase′-book, a book containing or explaining phrases.—adj. Phrase′less, incapable of being described.—ns. Phrase′-man, Phrase′-mong′er, a wordy speaker or writer; Phrā′seogram, Phrā′seograph, a combination of shorthand characters to represent a phrase or sentence.—adjs. Phraseolog′ic, -al, pertaining to phraseology: consisting of phrases.—adv. Phraseolog′ically.—ns. Phraseol′ogist, a maker or a collector of phrases; Phrāseol′ogy, style or manner of expression or arrangement of phrases: peculiarities of diction: a collection of phrases in a language; Phrā′ser, a mere maker or repeater of phrases.—adj. Phrā′sical.—n. Phrā′sing, the wording of a speech or passage: (mus.) the grouping and accentuation of the sounds in a melody. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. phrasis—phrazein, to speak.]

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. phrase

   An expression of words.

   There are many phrases we use daily like - unity and teamwork makes the plan work.......

   Submitted by MaryC on March 15, 2020  

Suggested Resources(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. phrase

   Song lyrics by phrase -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by phrase on the Lyrics.com website.

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'phrase' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #3359

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'phrase' in Written Corpus Frequency: #2607

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'phrase' in Nouns Frequency: #1054

Anagrams for phrase »

1. pasher, phaser, seraph, shaper, sharpe, Sherpa, sherpa, sphear

2. Sherpa

How to pronounce phrase?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say phrase in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of phrase in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of phrase in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of phrase in a Sentence

1. Bernie Sanders:

   And I think public leaders need to try to figure out ways to unite people around common purposes again, rather than divide us up. all Americans should be sickened by the video of Laquan McDonald's murder. As a nation we must do more than just echo the phrase Black Lives Matter.

2. Jack Groetzinger:

   The phrase work-life balance applies to two separate things that you're trading off between, and for me they all sort of mold into one, it's not like work ever really ends.

3. Joe Biden:

   I was responding to a comment Elizabeth Warren made, elizabeth Warren said that anyone who disagreed with Elizabeth Warren and took Elizabeth Warren on, on Elizabeth Warren issue of Medicare for All, somehow either was a coward, wasn't willing to stand up and state what they thought. Somehow doing something -- I think the phrase was should be in a Republican primary. When we talk about Medicare for All, people talk about taking two years, five years, 10 years to get it done. That doesn't give any real reassurance to people out there.

4. Jason Miller:

   I have a dream, the first time he ever used the phrase 'I have a dream' was right here in North Carolina.

5. Richard Bernstein:

   Right now, we view investing in the current environment using the hackneyed phrase of 'catching a falling knife,' we see no need to rush into markets.

Images & Illustrations of phrase

Popularity rank by frequency of use