phrase

/ˈfɹeɪ̯z/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: phrases · phrasing · phrased

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A short written or spoken expression.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

một biểu thức ngắn viết hoặc nói

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Examples

I've made progress, but this is still, in Churchill's phrase, just "the end of the beginning."

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A word or, more commonly, a group of words that functions as a single unit in the syntax of a sentence, always containing an expressed or implied head (the principal word or subgroup, with core importance) and often consisting of a head plus some other elaborating words.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

một đơn vị chức năng trong câu, luôn chứa một đầu (từ hoặc nhóm từ chính) và các từ giải thích

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Examples

Holonyms: clause, sentence; phrasing, phraseology, turn of phrase; phrase-book; document, message; language; communication

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To express (an action, thought or idea) by means of particular words.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

biểu đạt bằng từ ngữ cụ thể

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Verb

Examples

I wasn't sure how to phrase my condolences without sounding patronising.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To perform (a passage) with a particular phrasing.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

thực hiện với cách diễn đạt riêng

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Verb

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “phrase” mean?

A short written or spoken expression.

Is “phrase” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.