WordGarden.ioparaphrase
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈærəfrˌeɪz/
US
- /ˈpɛrəˌfreɪz/
Meanings
Verb
to express something again using different words
Noun
a restatement of something in different words
Beyond the definition
Imagine you're telling a friend about a complicated story. You wouldn't just repeat it word-for-word, right? You'd explain the main points in your own way, using language they understand. That's paraphrasing! It's taking someone else's ideas and expressing them with different words while keeping the original meaning intact.
Think of it like putting a message into a new form. You're changing the wording without changing the core meaning. Students often paraphrase sources when writing research papers to avoid plagiarism and to show that they understand the material instead of just copying it. A good paraphrase isn't just swapping a few words; it's a full restatement of the idea.
To paraphrase means to express someone else's ideas or information in your own words. It's more than just shortening something – it requires understanding the original text and then restating it using different vocabulary, sentence structure, and phrasing while maintaining the same meaning.
Paraphrasing is a crucial skill in academic writing, journalism, and everyday communication. When you paraphrase, you demonstrate that you comprehend the source material and can articulate it clearly. It's essential for avoiding plagiarism; simply copying text, even with citation, isn't enough – you need to show your understanding by re-expressing the ideas.
However, paraphrasing isn't just about avoiding trouble! It also helps you learn and internalize information. By forcing yourself to restate concepts in your own terms, you solidify your grasp of the subject matter.
You might paraphrase a complex legal document into plain English for a client, or restate part of a long article for a colleague in simpler language. A skilled writer can take dense, technical language and make it accessible to a wider audience without losing the original point. Remember, though: even when paraphrasing, you must still credit the original source! It's about acknowledging where the ideas came from, not pretending they are your own.
Examples
- 1
Classroom task
The teacher asked us to paraphrase the paragraph in our own words.
- 2
Avoiding plagiarism
Try not to copy the sentence; paraphrase the idea and mention the source.
- 3
Clarifying speech
Can you paraphrase what he just said? I did not quite understand it.
- 4
Article summary
Her summary includes a short paraphrase of the article's main argument.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Writing feedback
Your paraphrase is clear, but it is still too close to the original text.
- 6
Reported speech
"The plan needs more time," he said, paraphrasing the manager's longer explanation.
- 7
Loose quotation
To paraphrase Maya Angelou, people remember how you make them feel more than what you say.
- Patternto paraphrase + person
used before a loose version of that person's words
See also
Similar
- reword
- rephrase
- put in other words
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- paraphrase a passage
- paraphrase in your own words
- closely paraphrase
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- paraphrasenounverb
Forms
- paraphrasing-ing formverbnoun
- paraphrasedpast tenseverbnoun
- paraphrasespluralnounverb