How to Pronounce Periphrases

To pronounce "periphrases", say PER-iphr-as-es — 4 syllables, IPA /pəˈɹɪfɹəsiz/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

periphrases

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Accent

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4

Syllables

11

Letters

/pəˈɹɪfɹəsiz/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “periphrases”

"periphrases" has 4 syllables: per-iphr-as-es.

What does periphrases mean?

noun

  1. The use of more words than are necessary to express the idea; a roundabout, or indirect, way of speaking; circumlocution.

verb

  1. To express by periphrase or circumlocution.
  2. To use circumlocution.

noun

  1. The use of a longer expression instead of a shorter one with a similar meaning, for example "I am going to" instead of "I will".
  2. Expressing a grammatical meaning (such as a tense) using a syntactic construction rather than morphological marking.

    “Language learners sometimes use periphrases like "did go" where a native speaker would use "went".”

Synonyms

periphrasisbeating around the bushcircumlocution

Related words

periphrasticperipatusperipateticsperipetyphraseologyphraseologiesparapraxesperipeteia

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "periphrases"?▾

"Periphrases" has 4 syllables: per · iphr · as · es.

What is the IPA transcription of "periphrases"?▾

The IPA transcription of "periphrases" is /pəˈɹɪfɹəsiz/.

What does "periphrases" mean?▾

Periphrases: The use of more words than are necessary to express the idea; a roundabout, or indirect, way of speaking; circumlocution.

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