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Where does the word "phrase" come from? It comes from Greek phrasis, passing through Latin before entering English (1530s).
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Where does the word "phrase" come from? It comes from Greek phrasis, passing through Latin before entering English (1530s).
Phrase’s story begins in Greek: phrasis meant “speech, way of speaking.” From 'phrazein', to point out, declare. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as phrasis. A manner of expression. It reached English by 1530s as phrase. Also used in music for a short melodic unit. Today, phrase means a small group of words standing together.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient phrasis "speech, way of speaking", from 'phrazein', to point out, declare.
- Stage 2 · Latin · ancient phrasis "diction", a manner of expression.
- Stage 3 · English · 1530s phrase "a group of words", also used in music for a short melodic unit.