Phrase vs. Term: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A phrase is a group of words forming a meaningful unit within a sentence, while a term is a word or phrase used to describe a specific concept or idea.
Key Differences
A phrase is a collection of words that may have a noun or verb but does not have the subject-verb pairing necessary for a complete sentence. A term is a specific word or expression used in a particular context, often related to a specific field of study or profession.
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Phrases can be of various types, like noun phrases or verb phrases, and are integral to forming sentences. Terms are often jargon or specialized language used within a certain field, like 'photosynthesis' in biology or 'amortization' in finance.
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In literature and everyday speech, phrases contribute to the richness and complexity of language. Terms, however, are often used to convey precise meanings and are essential for technical or academic discourse.
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Phrases can be idiomatic, meaning their meanings cannot be deduced from the individual words. Terms are typically clear-cut and defined within their specific context.
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A phrase might change its meaning based on context and usage, while a term usually maintains a consistent definition within its specialized field.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A group of words forming a meaningful unit
A word or expression with a specific meaning
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Usage
Forms part of a sentence; not a complete thought
Often stand-alone with a defined meaning
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Types
Noun phrase, verb phrase, idiomatic, etc.
Jargon, technical terms, specific to fields or subjects
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Role in Language
Adds richness and complexity to language
Conveys precise meanings in specific contexts
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Consistency
Meaning can vary with context
Usually consistent within its field of use
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Phrase and Term Definitions
Phrase
A small group of words standing together as a conceptual unit.
Under the weather is a common phrase for feeling ill.
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Term
A period of time fixed by law, agreement, or custom.
The president's term in office lasts four years.
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Phrase
A characteristic way of speaking or writing.
Her unique phrase of words made her writing instantly recognizable.
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Term
The conditions under which an action may be undertaken or agreement reached.
They negotiated the terms of the contract.
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Phrase
An idiomatic expression whose meaning is not literal.
Break a leg is a phrase used to wish someone good luck.
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Term
To give a descriptive name to; to call by a specific term.
They termed the project a 'remarkable success.'
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Phrase
A sequence of words that forms a constituent of a sentence.
In the sentence, The barking dog, the barking is a phrase.
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Term
A limited or established period of time that something is supposed to last, as a school or court session, tenure in public office, or a prison sentence.
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Phrase
A musical sequence of notes.
The violinist played a beautiful phrase from the symphony.
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Term
A point in time at which something ends; termination
An apprenticeship nearing its term.
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Phrase
A sequence of words that have meaning, especially when forming part of a sentence.
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Phrase
A brief, apt, and cogent expression
The phrase "out of the frying pan and into the fire.".
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Phrase
(Music) A short passage or segment, often consisting of four measures or forming part of a larger unit.
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Phrase
A series of dance movements forming a unit in a choreographic pattern.
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Term
A word or group of words having a particular meaning, especially in a specific field
I was baffled by the technical terms that the programmers were using.
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Phrase
To express orally or in writing
The speaker phrased several opinions.
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Term
Terms Language of a certain kind; chosen words
Spoke in rather vague terms.
Praised him in glowing terms.
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Term
Often terms One of the elements of a proposed or concluded agreement; a condition
Offered favorable peace terms.
One of the terms of the lease.
The terms of a divorce settlement.
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Term
Terms The relationship between two people or groups; personal footing
On good terms with her in-laws.
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Term
One of the quantities composing a ratio or fraction or forming a series.
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Term
One of the quantities connected by addition or subtraction signs in an equation; a member.
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Term
(Logic) Each of the two concepts being compared or related in a proposition.
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Phrase
(grammar) A word or, more commonly, a group of words that functions as a single unit in the syntax of a sentence, usually consisting of a head, or central word, and elaborating words.
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Term
A stone or post marking a boundary, especially a squared and downward-tapering pillar adorned with a head and upper torso.
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Phrase
(dance) A short individual motion forming part of a choreographed dance.
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Term
That which limits the extent of anything; limit, extremity, bound, boundary, terminus#Noun.
"Alright, look...we can spend the holidays with your parents, but this time it will be on my terms."
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Phrase
(transitive) To express (an action, thought or idea) by means of particular words.
I wasn't sure how to phrase my condolences without sounding patronising.
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Term
A chronological limitation or restriction, a limited timespan.
The term of a lease agreement is the period of time during which the lease is effective, and may be fixed, periodic, or of indefinite duration.
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Term
Any of the binding conditions or promises in a legal contract.
Be sure to read the terms and conditions before signing.
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Term
Specifically, the conditions in a legal contract that specify the price#Noun and also how and when payment#Noun must be made.
The latest models are available now, on the lowest terms you'll find anywhere, guaranteed.
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Phrase
A brief expression, sometimes a single word, but usually two or more words forming an expression by themselves, or being a portion of a sentence; as, an adverbial phrase.
"Convey" the wise it call. "Steal!" foh! a fico for the phrase.
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Term
A point, line, or superficies that limits.
A line is the term of a superficies, and a superficies is the term of a solid.
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Phrase
A short, pithy expression; especially, one which is often employed; a peculiar or idiomatic turn of speech; as, to err is human.
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Term
A word or phrase (e.g., noun phrase, verb phrase, open compound), especially one from a specialised area of knowledge; a name for a concept.
"Algorithm" is a term used in computer science.
The noun phrase "red blood cell", the acronym "RBC", and the word "erythrocyte" are synonymous terms.
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Phrase
A mode or form of speech; the manner or style in which any one expreses himself; diction; expression.
Thou speak'stIn better phrase and matter than thou didst.
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Term
Duration of officeholding, or its limit; period in office of fixed length.
He was sentenced to a term of six years in prison.
Near-term, mid-term and long-term goals
The term allowed to a debtor to discharge his debt
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Phrase
An expression forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence but not containing a finite verb
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Term
With respect to a pregnancy, the period during which birth usually happens (approximately 40 weeks from conception).
At term, preterm, postterm
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Phrase
An expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up
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Term
(of a patent) The maximum period during which the patent can be maintained into force.
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Phrase
Put into words or an expression;
He formulated his concerns to the board of trustees
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Term
(mathematics) Any value (variable or constant) or expression separated from another term by a space or an appropriate character, in an overall expression or table.
All the terms of this sum cancel out.
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Term
(logic) The subject or the predicate of a proposition; one of the three component parts of a syllogism, each one of which is used twice.
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Term
(astrology) An essential dignity in which unequal segments of every astrological sign have internal rulerships which affect the power and integrity of each planet in a natal chart.
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Term
(arts) A statue of the upper body, sometimes without the arms, ending in a pillar or pedestal.
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Term
(nautical) A piece of carved work placed under each end of the taffrail.
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Term
That which limits the extent of anything; limit; extremity; bound; boundary.
Corruption is a reciprocal to generation, and they two are as nature's two terms, or boundaries.
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Term
The time for which anything lasts; any limited time; as, a term of five years; the term of life.
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Term
In universities, schools, etc., a definite continuous period during which instruction is regularly given to students; as, the school year is divided into three terms.
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Term
A point, line, or superficies, that limits; as, a line is the term of a superficies, and a superficies is the term of a solid.
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Term
The subject or the predicate of a proposition; one of the three component parts of a syllogism, each one of which is used twice.
The subject and predicate of a proposition are, after Aristotle, together called its terms or extremes.
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Term
A word or expression; specifically, one that has a precisely limited meaning in certain relations and uses, or is peculiar to a science, art, profession, or the like; as, a technical term.
In painting, the greatest beauties can not always be expressed for want of terms.
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Term
A member of a compound quantity; as, a or b in a + b; ab or cd in ab - cd.
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Term
Propositions or promises, as in contracts, which, when assented to or accepted by another, settle the contract and bind the parties; conditions.
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Term
A piece of carved work placed under each end of the taffrail.
I can not speak in term.
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Term
To apply a term to; to name; to call; to denominate.
Men term what is beyond the limits of the universe "imaginary space."
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Term
A word or expression used for some particular thing;
He learned many medical terms
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Term
A limited period of time;
A prison term
He left school before the end of term
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Term
(usually plural) a statement of what is required as part of an agreement;
The contract set out the conditions of the lease
The terms of the treaty were generous
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Term
Any distinct quantity contained in a polynomial;
The general term of an algebraic equation of the n-th degree
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Term
One of the substantive phrases in a logical proposition;
The major term of a syllogism must occur twice
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Term
The end of gestation or point at which birth is imminent;
A healthy baby born at full term
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Term
(architecture) a statue or a human bust or an animal carved out of the top of a square pillar; originally used as a boundary marker in ancient Rome
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Term
A word or expression used in relation to a particular subject.
Ecosystem is a term often used in environmental science.
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Term
A word or phrase used in a specific context, especially in a particular profession.
Plaintiff is a term used in legal proceedings.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can a Phrase stand alone?
No, phrases do not contain a subject and predicate, so they can't stand alone as sentences.
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What does Term mean?
A term is a word or expression used in a specific context, often technical or specialized.
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Do Phrases have a fixed structure?
No, phrases can vary in structure and length.
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What is an idiomatic Phrase?
It's a phrase whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal definitions of its constituent words.
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What is a Phrase?
A phrase is a group of words that express a concept and is part of a sentence.
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Is a Term always a single word?
Not always; a term can be a single word or a compound phrase.
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How is a Phrase used in a sentence?
A phrase can be used as a noun, verb, adjectival, or adverbial part of a sentence.
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Can Terms have different meanings in different contexts?
Yes, the meaning of a term can vary across different fields or contexts.
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What's the difference between a Phrase and a clause?
A clause contains both a subject and a predicate, whereas a phrase does not.
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What's an example of a Term in science?
"Photosynthesis" is a term used to describe a process in biology.
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Are all technical words considered Terms?
Generally, yes, especially if they are specific to a particular field or subject.
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How do Terms evolve in language?
Terms can evolve through changes in usage, technological advancements, or cultural shifts.
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Do Terms change over time?
Yes, terms can change or gain additional meanings as language and usage evolve.
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How are new Terms created?
New terms often emerge with new inventions, discoveries, or cultural phenomena.
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Can a Phrase become a Term?
Yes, if a phrase gains specific meaning in a particular context, it can evolve into a term.
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Can a Phrase be a part of a Term?
Yes, a phrase can be a component of a term, especially in compound terms.
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What role do Phrases play in poetry?
They are essential for creating rhythm, imagery, and emotional impact.
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Is memorizing Terms important for learning a language?
Yes, especially for technical or specialized fields within a language.
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Why is understanding Terms important in academic texts?
It's crucial for accurately understanding and conveying subject-specific knowledge.
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How does one identify a Phrase in a sentence?
Look for groups of words that add meaning but don't form a complete sentence.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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