phrasing

American  

[frey-zing] / ˈfreɪ zɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of forming phrases.

2. a manner or method of forming phrases; phraseology.

3. Music. the grouping of the notes of a musical line into distinct phrases.

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phrasing British  

/ ˈfreɪzɪŋ /

noun

1. the way in which something is expressed, esp in writing; wording

2. music the division of a melodic line, part, etc, into musical phrases

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Etymology

Origin of phrasing

First recorded in 1605–15; phrase + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

He spent time in Ghana absorbing highlife's structure, horn phrasing, and dance-oriented arrangements before fusing it with jazz, funk, the rhythms of his own Yoruba people, and political storytelling.

From BBC

That middle-of-the-road phrasing is a result of the rising perils of wading into hot-button issues in recent years.

From Barron's

“You have a very interesting way of phrasing things.”

From Literature

The Proofread tool kicks in a few seconds after you finish each sentence, with pop-up suggestions to tighten phrasing, simplify language and correct spelling.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Bryan’s brooding inward focus and hushed vocal phrasing align him more closely with indie-rock and confessional artists from years past, and he finds the country label limiting.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• diction
• phrase
• terminology