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: explain, summarize

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

verb

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

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.

Other Word Forms

• paraphrastic adjective
• paraphrasable adjective
• paraphraser noun
• misparaphrase verb
• unparaphrased adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of paraphrase¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French, from Latin paraphrasis, from Greek paráphrasis; para- ¹ + phrase

Word History and Origins

Origin of paraphrase¹

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

Synonym Study

See translation.

Example Sentences

The rich, to paraphrase F. Scott Fitzgerald, are different.

From Los Angeles Times

But is this theatrical release really gonna be golden, to paraphrase one of the musical’s most infectious earworms?

From Los Angeles Times

To paraphrase the old adage, you can put lipstick on the Dodgers — for example, so and so is coming back ... or recovering.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

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 BBC

Related Words

• rephrase 
• transcribe 

When To Use

What 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.