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paraphrase

[ par-uh-freyz ]
/ ˈpær əˌfreɪz /
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See synonyms for: paraphrase / paraphrased / paraphrasing / paraphraser on Thesaurus.com

noun
a restatement of a text or passage giving the meaning in another form, as for clearness; rewording.
the act or process of restating or rewording.
verb (used with object), par·a·phrased, par·a·phras·ing.
to render the meaning of in a paraphrase: to paraphrase a technical paper for lay readers.
verb (used without object), par·a·phrased, par·a·phras·ing.
to make a paraphrase or paraphrases.
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Origin of paraphrase

1540–50; from Middle French, from Latin paraphrasis, from Greek paráphrasis. See para-1, phrase

synonym study for paraphrase

1. See translation.

OTHER WORDS FROM paraphrase

par·a·phras·a·ble, adjectivepar·a·phras·er, nounmis·par·a·phrase, verb, mis·par·a·phrased, mis·par·a·phras·ing.un·par·a·phrased, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT PARAPHRASE

What does paraphrase mean?

A paraphrase is a restatement of a text in your own words while giving credit to the person who originated the thought. For example, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” You might paraphrase it in an essay by writing, “To paraphrase FDR, we have nothing to be afraid of, and we can’t let fear hold us back.”

To paraphrase means to restate something in your own words. You might paraphrase complicated information in order to make it easier for your audience to understand. You also might paraphrase something when you can’t remember or can’t verify the exact wording. It’s important to remember that you still need to credit the originator of the statement you’re paraphrasing.

Example: If you cannot remember the exact quote, you can paraphrase with precise detail.

Where does paraphrase come from?

The first records of the term paraphrase come from the mid-1500s. It ultimately comes from the Greek paráphrasis. Typically, the suffix para means “side by side,” so a paraphrase is a “side by side phrase,” or “a phrase that means the same but looks or sounds different.”

Sometimes, people will paraphrase famous quotes, quotes from important figures, or quotes from research and change key parts of it or the overall wording to make the quote seem like it supports their claim when, in fact, it does not. For example, someone may paraphrase a quote from a research article but leave out certain details to make the research support their argument while the actual quote might not. When looking at an argument that uses a lot of paraphrases as evidence, it’s a good idea to find the original quotes to see if they truly support the argument.

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What are some other forms related to paraphrase?

  • paraphrasable (adjective)
  • paraphraser (noun)
  • misparaphrase (verb)
  • unparaphrased (adjective)

What are some synonyms for paraphrase?

What are some words that share a root or word element with paraphrase

What are some words that often get used in discussing paraphrase?

How is paraphrase used in real life?

News, research, and academic writing often use paraphrasing to tell their stories.

 

 

Try using paraphrase!

True or False?

To paraphrase someone is to quote their words precisely.

How to use paraphrase in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for paraphrase

paraphrase
/ (ˈpærəˌfreɪz) /

noun
an expression of a statement or text in other words, esp in order to clarify
the practice of making paraphrases
verb
to put (something) into other words; restate (something)

Derived forms of paraphrase

paraphrastic (ˌpærəˈfræstɪk), adjective

Word Origin for paraphrase

C16: via French from Latin paraphrasis, from Greek, from paraphrazein to recount
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for paraphrase

paraphrase

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.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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