paraphrase

UK: /ˈpærəfreɪz/ US: /ˈpærəˌfreɪz/ ,(par′ə frāz′)

Inflections of 'paraphrase' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

paraphrases

v 3rd person singular

paraphrasing

v pres p

paraphrased

v past

paraphrased

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

par•a•phrase /ˈpærəˌfreɪz/   n., v., -phrased, -phras•ing. 
n. 

1. a restatement of a passage giving the meaning in another form, so as to make the meaning clear:
   [countable] a paraphrase of an English proverb.

v. 

2. to give the meaning of (something) in a paraphrase: [~ + object]
   If I may paraphrase his polite remarks, they were, quite simply, an order for you to get out.
   [no object]
   If I may paraphrase, we should get out of here as fast as possible.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

par•a•phrase  (par′ə frāz′), n., v., -phrased, -phras•ing. 
n. 

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.

v.t. 

3. to render the meaning of in a paraphrase:
   to paraphrase a technical paper for lay readers.

v.i. 

4. to make a paraphrase or paraphrases.

• Greek paráphrasis. See para-¹, phrase
• Latin paraphrasis
• Middle French
• 1540–50

par′a•phras′a•ble, adj. 
par′a•phras′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. See translation. 
• 3. summarize; explain.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

paraphrase / ˈpærəˌfreɪz/ noun

1. an expression of a statement or text in other words, esp in order to clarify

verb

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

Etymology: 16th Century: via French from Latin paraphrasis, from Greek, from paraphrazein to recount

paraphrastic / ˌpærəˈfræstɪk/ adjective