Meaning & use
periphrase
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Meanings
verbtransitiveformal
To express an idea using more words than are needed, often to be vague or indirect.
Grammar: Takes an object: periphrase a concept. Often used in the passive: the idea was periphrased.
Patterns
- periphrase something
- periphrase something as something
Rather than giving a direct answer, the spokesperson periphrased the company's position.
The poet periphrases death as 'the final sleep'.
In academic writing, it is sometimes necessary to periphrase technical terms for a general audience.
nouncountableformal
A roundabout way of speaking or writing that uses more words than necessary.
Grammar: Countable: a periphrase, several periphrases. Often used in the plural to refer to instances of wordy expression.
Patterns
- a periphrase of something
- use a periphrase
The critic complained that the essay was full of periphrases and empty phrases.
His speech was a long periphrase that avoided the main issue.
The phrase 'at this moment in time' is a common periphrase for 'now'.
Word forms
| third person singular | periphrases |
|---|---|
| past tense | periphrased |
| past participle | periphrased |
| -ing form | periphrasing |
| plural | periphrases |
Common combinations
- periphrase a statement
- The lawyer periphrased the statement to avoid admitting fault.
- periphrase the obvious
- There is no need to periphrase the obvious; just say it plainly.
- a long periphrase
- His answer was a long periphrase that frustrated everyone.
- avoid periphrase
- Good writing avoids periphrase and gets to the point.
- use a periphrase for something
- The author uses a periphrase for 'death' throughout the poem.
Synonyms and how they differ
- circumlocution
- Circumlocution is a more common noun for roundabout speech; periphrase is rarer and often used in literary or linguistic contexts.
- euphemism
- A euphemism specifically replaces a harsh or blunt term with a milder one; a periphrase can be any wordy expression, not necessarily for politeness.
- beat around the bush
- This informal idiom means to avoid the main point; periphrase is a formal verb or noun used in analysis of language.
Opposites
Word family
- periphrastic adjective
- Using a roundabout or wordy way of speaking; e.g., 'a periphrastic construction'.
- periphrasis noun
- The use of indirect or roundabout language; a less common variant of periphrase.
Commonly confused: periphrase or paraphrase?
periphrase vs paraphrase
Paraphrase means to restate something in different words, often to clarify; periphrase means to use more words than necessary, often to be vague.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'periphrase' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The correct answer is B because 'periphrase' means to use more words than necessary, often to avoid being direct. Option A uses 'periphrase' to mean 'simplify', which is closer to 'paraphrase'. Option C uses it to mean 'translate', which is incorrect. Option D uses it to mean 'postpone', which is not the meaning of 'periphrase'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “periphrase”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.