Phrase
/freɪz/noun
A small group of words standing together as a unit, or an expression used in speech or writing.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Greek phrázein, meaning “to point out” or “declare,” reminding us that speaking was once treated as an act of revelation, not just communication.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
phrázein
“to point out, show, declare”
Late Greek
Greek
phrásis
“speech, expression, way of speaking”
Latin
Latin
phrasis
“style of expression, phrase”
Old French
Old French
phrase
“expression, manner of speaking”
16th Century
English
phrase
“a group of words forming a unit of expression”
Modern English
English
phrase
“a short expression or group of words used together”
Explore more surprising origins