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
Andrew Torgan, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
This phrase removes agency and suggests a lack of decision-making power, which can undermine a leader’s authority.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Wes Siler, Outside Online, 15 Oct. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for phrase 
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Noun
Travel host Jo Franco shares four must-learn phrases in any foreign language to help you on your journey and sound more like a local.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
This phrase removes agency and suggests a lack of decision-making power, which can undermine a leader’s authority.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
Here’s a guide to field dressing a deer or similar animal, which is a nice way to phrase gut removal.
—Wes Siler, Outside Online, 15 Oct. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for phrase
Dictionary Entries Near phrase
Cite this Entry
“Phrase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phrase. Accessed 22 Nov. 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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