rephrase

American  

[ree-freyz] / riˈfreɪz /

verb (used with object)

rephrased, rephrasing

1. to phrase again or differently.

   He rephrased the statement to give it less formality.

---

rephrase British  

/ riːˈfreɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to phrase again, esp so as to express more clearly

---

Etymology

Origin of rephrase

First recorded in 1890–95; re- + phrase

Explanation

To rephrase something is to say it again, in a slightly different way. You might rephrase your question if the person you're asking doesn't understand it the first time. You might want to rephrase something to clarify a statement, adjust your ideas to fit your audience, or try not to offend the person you're talking to. A salesman might rephrase his pitch if he's not having much success selling encyclopedias, and an author might rephrase material from a book so that the kindergartners she's talking to will understand her. The word combines the prefix re-, "again," and phrase, from the Greek phrasis, or "speech."

Example Sentences

Rephrase the words of the person who spoke before you so they know you were listening.”

From Washington Post • Sep. 26, 2021

Rephrase, perhaps by using “Republicans are” in the first clause.

From New York Times • Nov. 11, 2014

Rephrase, perhaps using the plural throughout: “But customers who detect something suspicious … should contact.”

From New York Times • Oct. 14, 2014

Related Words

• reword