paraphrase

paraphrase — verb

IPA/ˈpærəfreɪz/
KK[pˈɛrəfrˌez]IPA/ˈpærəfreɪz/
  • paraphrasepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • paraphraseshe / she / it
  • paraphrasedpast simple
  • paraphrasing-ing form

1. to say or write the same idea again with different wording, usually so another p

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to say or write the same idea again with different wording, usually so another person can follow it more easily

Example

Nikhil paraphrased the safety rules for the new volunteers.

paraphrase + object + for + audience

The teacher asked Christopher to paraphrase the poem in plain English.

paraphrase + object + in plain English

Common collocations
  • paraphrase a speech
  • paraphrase a rule
  • paraphrase in plain English
  • paraphrase for children
Synonyms
  • rephrase

    a close everyday synonym that often applies to one sentence or phrase

  • restate

    slightly more formal and often used for opinions, rules, or arguments

  • reword

    focuses on changing the wording, not necessarily on explanation

Antonyms
  • quote

    keeps the original wording instead of changing the words

  • copy

    repeats the same text rather than expressing it afresh

Grammar Patterns

paraphrase + noun

paraphrase + noun + in + noun phrase

paraphrase + noun + for + audience

Usage Note

Object is usually a sentence, answer, speech, rule, or paragraph. Common with for + audience or in + words when the speaker is making something easier to understand.

Common Mistakes

She paraphrased the report word for word.
She quoted the report word for word.
paraphrasing changes the wording, while quoting keeps the exact original words.
The student paraphrased the chapter in two bullet points.
The student summarized the chapter in two bullet points.
a paraphrase keeps the full meaning, while a summary reduces it to the main points.

paraphrase — noun

IPA/ˈpær.ə.freɪz/
KK[pˈɛrəfrˌez]IPA/ˈper.ə.freɪz/

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Paraphrase means expressing the same message in fresh words while keeping the full meaning. Rephrase is a close everyday alternative, but it often focuses on changing one sentence or phrase. Restate is slightly more formal and is common for arguments, rules, or opinions. Summarize is different because it shortens the material and keeps only the main points, so a summary is usually briefer than a paraphrase. Quote is the opposite move: it keeps the speaker's exact wording. A student can paraphrase a paragraph for classmates, summarize a chapter for revision, or quote one line exactly when the original phrasing matters.

paraphrase ↗rephraserestate ↗summarize ↗quote ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • a paraphrase of the text
  • paraphrase in plain English
  • write a paraphrase

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLate LatinFrenchEnglish

Paraphrase came into English through French from late Latin paraphrasis, which ultimately goes back to Greek words meaning 'to express alongside'. That history matches the modern idea closely: you place new wording beside the original meaning instead of repeating the exact words.