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.

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verb (used with object)

paraphrased, paraphrasing

1. to render the meaning of in a paraphrase.

   to paraphrase a technical paper for lay readers.

   Synonyms:

   explain, summarize

verb (used without object)

paraphrased, paraphrasing

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

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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.

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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.

Related Words

See translation.

Other Word Forms

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

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

Paraphrase: rewording of original text to make it clearer for readers.

From Textbooks • Dec. 21, 2021

Especially so on the two-piano world premiere of “Concert Paraphrase on ‘Powder Her Face,’ ” where the composer and Gerstein take the dynamic duo thing to a very literal and beautiful place.

From Washington Post • Jul. 29, 2020

Its full title is “On the Shores of Havana, Far Away. A Paraphrase to the Melody of the Famous Song “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away.”

From Washington Times • Oct. 20, 2014

This was noticeable in works by Liszt, including “Un Sospiro” from the Three Concert Études and the “Rigoletto” Concert Paraphrase, both marred by stilted phrasing, as was the rendition of Beethoven’s “Tempest” Sonata.

From New York Times • Nov. 13, 2011

Paraphrase on Christ's Sermon on the Mount, 1s.

From The Annual Catalogue: Numb. II. (1738) Or, A new and compleat List of All The New Books, New Editions of Books, Pamphlets, &c. by Various

Related Words

• rephrase
• transcribe