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View synonyms for

paraphrase

[par-uh-freyz]

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.



verb (used with object)

paraphrased, paraphrasing 
  1. to render the meaning of in a paraphrase.

    to paraphrase a technical paper for lay readers.

    Synonyms: ,

verb (used without object)

paraphrased, paraphrasing 
  1. to make a paraphrase or paraphrases.

paraphrase

/ 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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to put (something) into other words; restate (something)

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

paraphrase

  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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Other Word Forms

  • paraphrasable adjective
  • paraphraser noun
  • misparaphrase verb
  • unparaphrased adjective
  • paraphrastic adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of paraphrase1

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French, from Latin paraphrasis, from Greek 貹á; para- 1 + phrase
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Word History and Origins

Origin of paraphrase1

C16: via French from Latin paraphrasis, from Greek, from paraphrazein to recount
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Or, to paraphrase a Virginia Woolf line from “To the Lighthouse” that Rhys invoked earlier: gets us through are “little daily miracles, illuminations, matches struck unexpectedly in the dark.”

From

To paraphrase an old saying, Swiatek and Sabalenka appear to have decided it is better to keep your rivals even closer than your friends.

From

He likes to paraphrase a Fyodor Dostoevsky quote, “The degree of civilization in a society is revealed by entering its prisons.”

From

To paraphrase one of the account’s followers, you know the situation is bad when Arthur is resorting to violence.

From

Hoffman, paraphrasing her state of mind in Providence, writes, “During this time Aimee described herself as profoundly lonely, the emotion coming over her in those days like a ‘terrifying grip.’”

From

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Related Words

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When To Use

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.

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paraphimosisparaphrasis