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

In genteel phrasing, Ancora also alludes to the fact that Paramount would itself remain woefully undersized if it doesn’t merge with Warner.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

Related Words

• diction
• phrase
• terminology