ENGLISH
REFERENCE

paraphrase

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈpɛɹəˌfɹeɪz// UK //pˈæɹəfɹˌeɪz// para·phrase

n. a way of saying or writing something using different words to make the meaning clearer. You use it to show you understand an idea without copying the original text exactly.

n. a restatement of a text or passage in another form or other words, often to clarify meaning. Frequently used in academic contexts to incorporate external ideas while maintaining a consistent authorial voice.


SIMPLE

The student wrote a short paraphrase of the poem.

CONTEXTUAL

The lawyer provided a clear paraphrase of the complex legal document for the jury.

COMPLEX

While a direct quotation preserves the original author's exact phrasing, a well-executed paraphrase demonstrates a deeper synthesis of the underlying concepts within the researcher's own narrative framework.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle French paraphrase.

Usage

Countable when referring to a specific restatement; uncountable when referring to the general practice of restating text.

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