1
: a characteristic manner or style of expression : diction
2
a
: a brief expression
especially
: catchphrase
b
: word
3
: a short musical thought typically two to four measures long closing with a cadence
4
: a word or group of words forming a syntactic constituent with a single grammatical function
an adverbial phrase
5
: a series of dance movements comprising a section of a pattern
phrased; phrasing
1
a
: to express in words or in appropriate or telling terms
b
: to designate by a descriptive word or phrase
2
: to divide into melodic phrases
Synonyms
Examples of phrase in a Sentence
Noun
Answer the questions in complete sentences, not phrases.
She used the phrase “I strongly believe” too many times in her speech.
Underline the key words or phrases in the paragraph.
To borrow a phrase from my mother, I spend too much time “watching the boob tube” and not enough time outside.
Verb
He phrased his version of the story in a way that made him look good.
The question was awkwardly phrased.
The singer phrased the music beautifully.
Recent Examples on the Web
Peter White, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2024
Die-hard fandom became crucial (the trendy phrase for this is parasocial relationship).
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2024
Constance Grady, Vox, 12 Sep. 2024
But by phrasing it as choosing to live in gratitude, Alison made her choice a result of strength and control.
—Jay Sullivan, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for phrase 
Noun
If streaming payment models are one of the most-talked about topics within inner circles, the wider business continues to hear that dreaded phrase – ‘Survive until ‘25’.
—Peter White, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2024
Die-hard fandom became crucial (the trendy phrase for this is parasocial relationship).
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2024
Verb
With this new endorsement, Swift can assure her fans she’s still got her feminist cred, even as she’s phrased it carefully to give her more Trump-leaning fans room for plausible deniability.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 12 Sep. 2024
But by phrasing it as choosing to live in gratitude, Alison made her choice a result of strength and control.
—Jay Sullivan, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for phrase
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'phrase.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near phrase
Cite this Entry
“Phrase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phrase. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
phrase
1 of 2 noun1
: a brief expression
especially
: one commonly used
2
: a small unit of a musical passage usually several measures long
3
: a group of two or more words that express a single idea but do not form a complete sentence
"out the door" in "they ran out the door" is a phrase
phrasal
adjective
ˈfrā-zəl
phrasally
adverb
-zə-lē
phrase
2 of 2 verb
phrased; phrasing
1
: to express in words
2
: to divide into musical phrases
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