# periphrase

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈpɛɹi.fɹeɪz/

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

## Etymology
From Latin periphrasis from Ancient Greek περίφρασις (períphrasis), from περιφράζομαι (periphrázomai, “I consider all sides of an issue”), from περί (perí, “around”) + φράζω (phrázō, “I show, point out”). See phrase.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/periphrase