Definitions for phrase
freɪzphrase

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

1. phrasenoun

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

2. phrase, musical phrasenoun

   a short musical passage

3. idiom, idiomatic expression, phrasal idiom, set phrase, phrasenoun

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

4. phraseverb

   dance movements that are linked in a single choreographic sequence

5. give voice, formulate, word, phrase, articulateverb

   put into words or an expression

   "He formulated his concerns to the board of trustees"

6. phraseverb

   divide, combine, or mark into phrases

   "phrase a musical passage"

Wiktionary(2.50 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. phrasenoun

   A short written or spoken expression.

   Etymology: From phrasis, from φράσις, from φράζω.

2. phrasenoun

   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. phrasenoun

   A small section of music in a larger piece.

   Etymology: From phrasis, from φράσις, from φράζω.

4. phraseverb

   To perform a passage with the correct phrasing.

   Etymology: From phrasis, from φράσις, from φράζω.

5. phraseverb

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

   Etymology: From phrasis, from φράσις, from φράζω.

6. phraseverb

   To divide into melodic phrases.

   Etymology: From phrasis, from φράσις, from φράζω.

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

1. Phrasenoun

   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. Phrasenoun

   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. Phrasenoun

   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. Phrasenoun

   a short clause or portion of a period

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

5. Phraseverb

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

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

6. Phraseverb

   to use proper or fine phrases

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

7. Phraseverb

   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.

Matched Categories

1. • Arrange
   • Construction
   • Express

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

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

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. Donald Trump:

   I actually like that phrase, that's good, I better trademark it.

2. Lu Lu:

   'Food and sex are the basic desires of humans,' and the phrase has not changed in more than 5,000 years, 'Release your basic instincts' and 'Liberate yourself' are the two concepts we used as the basis for the restaurant.

3. Deodatta V. Shenai-Khatkhate:

   The phrase "Survival of the fittest" was first coined by Herbert Spencer in his "Principles of Biology" (1864) after reading Charles Darwin's theory of "natural selection" discussed in "On the Origin of Species" by Darwin - published in the same year. Five years later, Darwin first used Spencer's new phrase "Survival of the fittest" alongside his phrase "natural selection" in his fifth edition of "On the Origin of Species", published in 1869. It's interesting to note that "fittest" is often misconstrued as either the strongest of the species or the most intelligent species, which is neither an accurate description nor the interpretation desired by Darwin in his theory. In actuality, the fittest species is the one that is the most adaptable to change. In other words, those who can become most well adapted to current environment and the changes therein, can have the chance and opportunity to survive. Darwin's theory of natural selection teaches us that it's absolutely important to welcome the change, and manage the change for survival and for becoming the winner. It's really interesting that being the most adaptable to change often outweighs the strength and intelligence factors, contrary to the common understanding of life and the phrase "Survival of the fittest.

4. The Talmud:

   j'ai lu une phrase: pouvez-vous me dire si elle provient du Talmud? Tu ne seras pas puni pour les pêchés commis, mais pour touts les bons moments que tu n'as pas vécus

5. Jay Kornegay:

   Whoever coined the phrase 'March Madness' got it correct.

Images & Illustrations of phrase

Popularity rank by frequency of use