Periphrasis | Definition & Examples

Periphrasis is the use of several words to form a longer sentence or phrase where a few words or even a single word could convey the same meaning. It involves a roundabout way of referring to something rather than naming it directly in a more concise form.

Periphrasis can appear in various contexts that call for indirect or elaborate language, including literature, bureaucratic texts, or situations in which we want to maintain social etiquette.

Periphrasis examples
Periphrastic example Simplified example
Her olfactory system was suffering from a temporary inconvenience Her nose was blocked
Please forgive my tardiness, as unforeseen circumstances caused me to arrive later than anticipated I am sorry I am late
The sum total of all the parts that go to make up the whole The complete thing

What is periphrasis?

Periphrasis is a rhetorical device in which a single word is replaced by several others, leading to a longer phrase. Unlike pleonasm, periphrasis is not just about word count, but it also involves indirectness.

The word “periphrasis” originates from the ancient Greek words “peri” (meaning “around”) and “phrazein” (meaning “to express”), indicating a roundabout way of speaking. Periphrasis is also known as circumlocution. Although the two terms are often used interchangeably, periphrasis generally refers to those cases where more words are used for stylistic or rhetorical effect, whereas circumlocution may have a negative connotation, implying evasiveness.

Periphrastic form

In English grammar, a periphrastic construction refers to a way of expressing grammatical information using additional words rather than changing the form of a word (a process called inflection). For example, instead of the inflected form “happier” we may use the periphrastic comparative form “more happy.”

Periphrastic form example 
A common example of periphrastic form is the use of auxiliary verbs to form tenses, rather than inflection (changing the form of a single word). For example, the future tense “I will eat” uses the auxiliary verb “will” plus the base form of the main verb “eat.”

Other languages use inflection for the future tense. For example, in Spanish “comeré” (I will eat), the future tense is expressed by changing the verb ending.

Why do we use periphrasis?

Periphrasis is commonly used:

  • In euphemisms. Periphrasis can soften an expression and make it less blunt. For example, we may say “passed away” instead of “died” to avoid shocking others.
  • In literature. Writers often use periphrasis as a stylistic choice to make their writing seem more formal or sophisticated. For example, instead of “It is raining” a writer may choose the more elaborate “Heavenly water dropped on the earth.” However, overuse of this technique can make a text seem pretentious or hard to understand, qualities associated with purple prose.
  • In poetry. Periphrasis can make a piece of writing sound more poetic or old-fashioned. Old English kennings like “wave-rider” for “ship” or “whale-road” for “sea” are instances of periphrasis: they describe something by its characteristics or actions rather than naming it directly. Contemporary poets might also use periphrasis in phrases like “nature’s symphony” to refer to birdsong or “time’s relentless march” instead of aging.
  • In legal and bureaucratic language. Periphrasis is frequently utilized in official documents, legal writing, and government communication to achieve clarity or formality or to soften the impact of certain statements. For example, instead of saying “You owe us money,” a legal document might state, “It has come to our attention that there exists an outstanding balance that requires your immediate attention.”

Periphrasis examples

Periphrasis in literature can reveal character traits or social status. In the following passage from David Copperfield, the character Mr. Micawber speaks in a verbose and pretentious way. This adds a humorous tone, especially when contrasted with the simple idea being expressed (offering to show someone the way).

Periphrasis example in David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
‘Under the impression,’ said Mr. Micawber, ‘that your peregrinations in this metropolis have not as yet been extensive, and that you might have some difficulty in penetrating the arcana of the Modern Babylon in the direction of the City Road,—in short,’ said Mr. Micawber, in another burst of confidence, ‘that you might lose yourself—I shall be happy to call this evening, and install you in the knowledge of the nearest way.’

In the opening lines of the Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln uses periphrasis most likely to give it a more solemn and historic tone.

Periphrasis example in the Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln
“Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal…”

Here, “Four score and seven years ago” is a roundabout way of saying “87 years ago” (The word “score” means twenty, so “four score and seven” equals 87).

For 18th century poets, periphrasis was a common literary device used to create a more lyrical and elevated tone, with allusions to Greco-Roman mythology. In the following lines, Alexander Pope mocks his contemporary poets and parodies their overuse of periphrasis. He illustrates this by using an elaborate way to say “uncork the wine and prepare the grain.”

Periphrasis examples in “Peri Bathous, or the Art of Sinking in Poetry” by Alexander Pope
Example Analysis
Apply thine engine to the spungy door:
Set Bacchus from his glassy prison free,
And strip white Ceres of her nut-brown coat.”
  • This is a periphrastic way of saying “open the cork” or “uncork the bottle.” “Engine” likely refers to a corkscrew and “spungy door” is a poetic way of describing the cork.
  • This means “pour the wine.” Bacchus is the Roman god of wine, and “glassy prison” refers to the bottle.
  • This likely means “prepare the grain”(for bread). Ceres is the Roman goddess of agriculture, grain, and fertility. The “nut-brown coat” refers to the outer layer of the grain.

Frequently asked questions about periphrasis

What is the difference between periphrasis and circumlocution?

Periphrasis and circumlocution are often considered synonymous and can be used interchangeably. However, some sources differentiate between the two, considering periphrasis as an indirect manner of speaking or writing used for stylistic or rhetorical purposes, while circumlocution has a more negative connotation, implying an evasive communication style.

What is an example of periphrasis?

An example of periphrasis is the phrase “The bright celestial body that gives light to the Earth” instead of “the sun.” This example of periphrasis provides a more detailed and poetic description than simply saying “the sun.”

QuillBot’s free Paraphraser can help you rewrite sentences to reflect your meaning.

What is an example of periphrasis in grammar?

An example of periphrasis in grammar is forming the comparative and superlative degrees of adjectives by using periphrastic forms with “more + adjective” or “most + adjective,” instead of adding suffixes (like “-er” or “-est”).

Inflected form Periphrastic equivalent Inflected form Periphrastic equivalent
quicker more quick quickest most quick
stronger more strong strongest most strong
simple more simple simplest most simple
What does periphrastic mean?

Periphrastic refers to an indirect style of speaking or writing that employs periphrasis and uses a large number of words. In grammar, it specifically refers to forming grammatical structures using helper words rather than changing the main word’s form. For example, “I did walk” instead of “I walked.”

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Kassiani Nikolopoulou, MSc

Kassiani has an academic background in Communication, Bioeconomy and Circular Economy. As a former journalist she enjoys turning complex information into easily accessible articles to help others.