English Reference

Word

phased

US/ˈfeɪzd/

UK/fˈeɪzd/

Definition

adj. happening in stages or steps rather than all at once. You use this to describe a change that is planned to be slow and careful.

adj. carried out in a series of planned stages or intervals. Often used to describe the implementation of new policies or the withdrawal of services.

Examples

“The company started a phased return to the office.”

“The government announced a phased reopening of schools, starting with the youngest students first.”

“A phased approach to the software rollout allowed the technical team to identify and resolve bugs before the system reached the entire user base.”

Examples

simple

“The company started a phased return to the office.”

contextual

“The government announced a phased reopening of schools, starting with the youngest students first.”

complex

“A phased approach to the software rollout allowed the technical team to identify and resolve bugs before the system reached the entire user base.”

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun; often paired with 'approach', 'rollout', or 'withdrawal'.

Real-World Examples

“Cheques had been due to be phased out by 2018, until MPs forced a change of heart by the industry years ago.”
BBC News · 18 Aug 2026
“That was followed by a phased effort to bring them back down to 2019 levels.”
BBC News · 19 Aug 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/phased

English Reference