phrasal

[ frey-zuhl ]

adjective

1. of, consisting of, or of the nature of a phrase or phrases:

   phrasal construction.

phrasal

/ ˈfreɪzəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or composed of phrases

Derived Forms

• ˈphrasally, adverb

Other Words From

• phrasal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of phrasal¹

First recorded in 1870–75; phrase + -al ¹

Example Sentences

But what about phrasal gaffes that make just as much, if not more, sense than their correct counterparts?

From Salon

Repetition has an indelible place in Black expressive culture: in the syncopated rhythms of jazz, the phrasal repetitions of the blues and the guttural moans of soul made meaningful by dint of remarkable vocal performances.

From New York Times

This rhetoric sounds nice—“free expression” and “in a democracy” are the phrasal equivalents of American-flag lapel pins—but it doesn’t amount to much.

From The New Yorker

Second, there are phrases, sometimes called “phrasal verbs”, that cannot be understood by knowing the component words: consider bear down or bear up.

From Economist

Cline loves phrasal fragments: “The dark maritime cypress packed tight outside the window, the twitch of salt air.”

From The New Yorker

Related Words

• rhetorical
• unwritten