phrasing

[ frey-zing ]

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.

phrasing

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of phrasing¹

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

Example Sentences

“Beastie Boys was big on this album,” she explains, “just ’cause they’re awesome and their phrasing is cool and we listen to a lot of them.”

From Los Angeles Times

Military analysts say the phrasing used in the headings looks credible and is consistent with similar classified documents revealed in the past.

From BBC

But the questions posed to Vance concerning his past statements about backing a national abortion ban lacked enough specificity in their phrasing for the Ohio senator to claim he never supported one.

From Salon

Mimic the tone, style and phrasing of the victim's contacts.

From Salon

Despite her careful phrasing, conservative commentators and not a few actual journalistic organizations fell into the trap of treating Harris’ proposal as a copycat of Trump’s.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• diction
• phrase
• terminology