phrase
Pronunciation: /freɪz/
noun
- a small group of words standing together as a conceptual unit, typically forming a component of a clause: ‘to improve standards’ is the key phrase here
- an idiomatic or short pithy expression: his favourite phrase is ‘it’s a pleasure’
- Music a group of notes forming a distinct unit within a longer passage: the succession of downward phrases in the orchestra is so moving
- Ballet a group of steps within a longer sequence or dance.
verb
Origin:
mid 16th century (in the sense 'style or manner of expression'): via late Latin from Greek phrasis, from phrazein 'declare, tell'
Grammar
A group of words that forms part of a clause. A phrase is built up on a headword, and the types of phrase are named according to the class the headword belongs to:
| headword | example | uses in a clause | |
| noun phrase | noun | a large jug of water | subject, object, complement |
| verb phrase | verb | have been seeing | verb |
| prepositional phrase | preposition | by the roadside | adverbial, part of a noun phrase |
| adjective phrase | adjective | very big indeed | part of a noun phrase, complement |
| adverb phrase | adverb | rather too slowly | adverbial |