phrasing

American  

[frey-zing] / ˈfreɪ zɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of forming phrases.

2. a manner or method of forming phrases; phraseology.

3. Music. the grouping of the notes of a musical line into distinct phrases.

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phrasing British  

/ ˈfreɪzɪŋ /

noun

1. the way in which something is expressed, esp in writing; wording

2. music the division of a melodic line, part, etc, into musical phrases

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Etymology

Origin of phrasing

First recorded in 1605–15; phrase + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

But her voice—slightly nasal, with conversational phrasing and clipped inflections informed by hip-hop—is instantly identifiable, and conveys intelligence and intimacy while sounding perfectly natural in glittery electronic productions.

From The Wall Street Journal

Clare pressed a paw into his one good eye, fighting to recall the exact phrasing Nine had used.

From Literature

Her vocal stacks and counter-melodies are full of intricate detail; and her phrasing is exquisite, even on the jazz numbers where lesser pop singers would come unstuck.

From BBC

“So, strictly speaking, the Heck language fits. But that could just show that the phrasing was not quite as tailored as it should have been.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The phrasing is so concrete it feels almost documentary: something hidden becomes visible; something held still begins to move.

From Salon

Related Words

• diction
• phrase
• terminology