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.
Periphrastic example | Simplified example |
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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.”
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).
In the opening lines of the Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln uses periphrasis most likely to give it a more solemn and historic tone.
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.”
Example | Analysis |
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“Apply thine engine to the spungy door: Set Bacchus from his glassy prison free, And strip white Ceres of her nut-brown coat.” |
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Frequently asked questions about periphrasis
- What is the difference between periphrasis and circumlocution?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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.”