periphrase

pe·riph·ra·sis

P p

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [puh-rif-ruh-sis]
- /pəˈrɪf rə sɪs/
- /pərˈɪfreɪz/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [puh-rif-ruh-sis]
- /pəˈrɪf rə sɪs/

Definitions of periphrase word

noun plural periphrase the use of an unnecessarily long or roundabout form of expression; circumlocution. 1
noun plural periphrase an expression phrased in such fashion. 1
verb periphrase to use periphrasis; to express (something) through periphrasis 0

See all 3 definitions of periphrase

Information block about the term

Origin of periphrase

First appearance:

before 1525

One of the 28% oldest English words

1525-35; < Latin < Greek períphrasis. See peri-, phrase, -sis

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Periphrase

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Periphrase

periphrase popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 61% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

periphrase usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for periphrase

noun periphrase

circumlocution — A circumlocution is a way of saying or writing something using more words than are necessary instead of being clear and direct.
discursiveness — passing aimlessly from one subject to another; digressive; rambling.
floridity — reddish; ruddy; rosy: a florid complexion.
indirectness — not in a direct course or path; deviating from a straight line; roundabout: an indirect course in sailing.
circumambages — round-about methods

All 7 Synonyms of periphrase