periphrasis

noun
UK: /pəˈrɪfrəsɪs/
US: /pəˈrɪfrəsɪs/

  1. The use of many words to describe something that could be described in fewer words; a roundabout way of speaking or writing.

    1. Instead of saying 'he died', the speaker used periphrasis and said 'he passed away'.
    2. The politician's speech was full of periphrasis, avoiding direct answers to complex questions.

  2. A roundabout expression or phrase used in place of a more direct or concise one, often for stylistic effect.

    1. The phrase 'at this point in time' is a periphrasis for 'now'.
    2. Poets often use periphrasis to add elegance and depth to their verses, enriching the imagery.

Synonyms

circumlocution verbosity redundancy tautology

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "periphrasis" in English means: The use of many words to describe something that could be described in fewer words; a roundabout way of speaking or writing., A roundabout expression or phrase used in place of a more direct or concise one, often for stylistic effect..

The phonetic transcription of "periphrasis" is /pəˈrɪfrəsɪs/ in British English and /pəˈrɪfrəsɪs/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "periphrasis": circumlocution, verbosity, redundancy, tautology.

Example usage of "periphrasis": "Instead of saying 'he died', the speaker used periphrasis and said 'he passed away'.". More examples on the page.