paraphrase

//ˈpærəfreɪz//
B2Frequency Level 11Neutral
Visual representation of paraphrase

Verb

paraphraseInfinitive
paraphrasePresent tense
paraphrasedPast tense
paraphrasedPast participle
paraphrasingPresent participle
paraphrasesThird-person singular
1

To express the meaning of something written or spoken using different words, especially to achieve greater clarity.

Can you paraphrase this paragraph in simpler words?

2

To restate a text or passage in other words, often to simplify or adapt it for a different audience.

The teacher asked the students to paraphrase the difficult passage in simpler words.

Noun

paraphraseSingular
paraphrasesPlural
1

A rewording of something written or spoken by someone else.

The student wrote a paraphrase of the original poem in her own words.

2

A restatement of a text, passage, or work giving the meaning in another form.

The teacher asked us to write a paraphrase of the poem in our own words.