paraphrase

To paraphrase is to repeat a version of something, not the exact words.

(verb)

An example of to paraphrase is to repeat a quote that you heard earlier, leaving some parts out.

The definition of a paraphrase is a rewording of something that has been said or written, to make it clearer.

(verb)

An example of to paraphrase is to repeat the main points of a speech to someone who didn’t understand.

See paraphrase in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

1. a rewording of something spoken or written, usually for the purpose of making its meaning clearer
2. the use of this as a literary or teaching device
an approximate rendering of a quotation, saying, etc. whose exact words cannot be cited or recalled
a free reworking of a musical text or composition

Origin: Fr < L paraphrasis < Gr < paraphrazein, to say in other words: see para- & phrase

to express in a paraphrase

intransitive verb

to compose a paraphrase

Related Forms:

See paraphrase in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A restatement of a text or passage in another form or other words, often to clarify meaning.
The restatement of texts in other words as a studying or teaching device.

verb par·a·phrased, par·a·phras·ing, par·a·phras·es

verb, transitive

To restate in a paraphrase.

verb, intransitive

To compose a paraphrase.

Origin:

Origin: French

Origin: , from Latin paraphrasis

Origin: , from Greek

Origin: , from paraphrazein, to paraphrase

Origin: : para-, alongside; see para-¹

Origin: + phrazein, to show, explain; see g^whren- in Indo-European roots