Summary Definition of Phrase

Phrase is : A small group of related words within a sentence or clause. Adjective: phrasal.
A phrase functions as a part of speech and includes a head (or headword), which determines the nature of the unit.
Principal Types of Phrases

• Adjective Phrase
• Adverb Phrase
• Noun Phrase
• Prepositional Phrase
• Verb Phrase 

Examples of PHRASE

1. Answer the questions in complete sentences, not phrases.
2. She used the phrase “I strongly believe” too many times in her speech.
3. Underline the key words or phrases in the paragraph.
4. To borrow a phrase from my mother, I spend too much time “watching the boob tube” and not enough time outside.

Origin of PHRASE

Latin phrasis, from Greek, from phrazein to point out, explain, tell

First Known Use: 1530

 

Related to PHRASE

Synonyms

expression, idiom, figure of speech

Rhymes with PHRASE

baize, blaze, braise, braze, chaise, craze, days, daze, faze, fraise, gaze, glaze, graze, Hays, haze, lase, laze, maize, Mays, maze, phase, praise, raise, raze, vase, ways