paraphrase

[ par-uh-freyz ]

noun

1. a restatement of a text or passage giving the meaning in another form, as for clearness; rewording.
2. the act or process of restating or rewording.

verb (used with object)

, par·a·phrased, par·a·phras·ing.

1. to render the meaning of in a paraphrase:

   to paraphrase a technical paper for lay readers.

   Synonyms: explain, summarize

verb (used without object)

, par·a·phrased, par·a·phras·ing.

1. to make a paraphrase or paraphrases.

paraphrase

/ ˈpærəˌfreɪz; ˌpærəˈfræstɪk /

noun

1. an expression of a statement or text in other words, esp in order to clarify
2. the practice of making paraphrases

verb

1. to put (something) into other words; restate (something)

paraphrase

1. A restatement of speech or writing that retains the basic meaning while changing the words. A paraphrase often clarifies the original statement by putting it into words that are more easily understood.

Derived Forms

• paraphrastic, adjective

Other Words From

• para·phrasa·ble adjective
• para·phraser noun
• mis·para·phrase verb misparaphrased misparaphrasing
• un·para·phrased adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of paraphrase¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French, from Latin paraphrasis, from Greek paráphrasis; para- ¹ + phrase

Word History and Origins

Origin of paraphrase¹

C16: via French from Latin paraphrasis, from Greek, from paraphrazein to recount

Synonym Study

See translation.

Example Sentences

To paraphrase Peter Tosh, if Illinois were to legalize it, would you advertise it?

From The Daily Beast

To paraphrase the renegade philosopher Hannibal, I love it when science comes together.

From The Daily Beast

To paraphrase Fox Friends, don't get caught beating women on camera and you're safe to play in the NFL.

From The Daily Beast

Barry Goldwater is not the sort of man you might expect Stephen F. Cohen to paraphrase.

From The Daily Beast

To paraphrase the great John Oliver, listen up, fellow self-pitying nerd boys—we are not the victims here.

From The Daily Beast

A man may weep and weep, to paraphrase Shakespeare, "and be a villain!"

From Project Gutenberg

The omissions are the most sensible that I have found in a paraphrase.

From Project Gutenberg

This is not paraphrase; it is sheer misapprehension of the Old English.

From Project Gutenberg

As the language in which it is written is not easily intelligible, I have added a paraphrase on the opposite pages.

From Project Gutenberg

Instead of "Him that maketh the seven stars and Orion," we have the paraphrase, "That maketh and transformeth all things."

From Project Gutenberg