paraphrase

American  

[par-uh-freyz] / ˈpær əˌfreɪz /

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)

paraphrases, present (3rd person singular) paraphrased, past participle, past paraphrasing present participle

1. to render the meaning of in a paraphrase.

   to paraphrase a technical paper for lay readers.

   Synonyms:

   explain, summarize

verb (used without object)

paraphrases, present (3rd person singular) paraphrased, past participle, past paraphrasing present participle

1. to make a paraphrase or paraphrases.

paraphrase British  

/ 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 Cultural  

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.

---

Usage

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.

Synonym Usage

See translation.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• misparaphrase
  verb
• paraphrastic
  adjective
• unparaphrased
  adjective
• paraphrasable
  adjective
• paraphraser
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have paraphrased
  perfect
• has paraphrased
  perfect 3rd person singular
• is paraphrasing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• have been paraphrasing
  perfect progressive
• am paraphrasing
  progressive 1st person singular
• are paraphrasing
  progressive
• paraphrasing
  participle
• paraphrases
  singular 3rd person
• has been paraphrasing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular

Past

• had paraphrased
  perfect
• were paraphrasing
  progressive plural
• was paraphrasing
  progressive singular
• had been paraphrasing
  perfect progressive
• paraphrased
  participle
• paraphrased
  simple

Future

• will paraphrase
  simple
• will have paraphrased
  perfect
• will be paraphrasing
  progressive
• will have been paraphrasing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of paraphrase

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

Explanation

The verb paraphrase means to sum something up or clarify a statement by rephrasing it. So to paraphrase that explanation, it means to say something in other, simpler words. If you break paraphrase down, you end up with the prefix para, meaning "beside," and the word phrase — so think of paraphrase as coming up with similar, more simple phrases that go beside the ones already said. You might paraphrase your teacher’s lesson because you want to simplify her complicated technical language, or because you forgot exactly what she said but remember the general meaning.

Example Sentences

To paraphrase Clint Eastwood of all people, a theater buff has to know his limitations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

When looking at the stock market right now, the increasingly obvious question is to paraphrase that catchy 1940s tune: “Is you is, or is you ain’t, in a bubble?”

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

To paraphrase Homer Simpson, “It’s sad ‘cause it’s true.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

The art that he created there embodies a kind of deconstructed narcissism; Samaras is fascinated with himself, but mostly as—to paraphrase the photographer Garry Winogrand’s choice of subjects—“something to be photographed.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

And today, as I stand over the remains of these beautiful, darling girls, I paraphrase the words of Shakespeare: Good night, sweet princesses.

From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry

Related Words

• rephrase
• transcribe