Dictionary monolingual
English

Paragraph

ˈpɛrəˌɡræf
Very common
~ 2400
~ 2400
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

Paragraph -

A distinct section of a piece of writing, usually dealing with a single topic and beginning on a new line.

Example: In her essay, she dedicated a paragraph to discussing the importance of renewable energy sources.
Usage: formalContext: academic writing, professional documents
Note: Paragraphs help organize ideas and improve readability in written texts.

To divide a piece of writing into paragraphs.

Example: Make sure to paragraph your essay effectively to enhance clarity and coherence.
Usage: formalContext: writing instructions, academic guidance
Note: Paragraphing is an essential skill for structuring written work.

To express something in a particular way or with a particular emphasis.

Example: She chose to paragraph her argument by starting with the most compelling evidence.
Usage: formalContext: debates, persuasive writing
Note: This usage highlights the deliberate structuring of information for impact.

Paragraph's synonyms

section

A section is a distinct part or division of a larger whole, often used to organize information or ideas.
Example: Each section of the report covers a different aspect of the research findings.
Note: A section is broader in scope and can encompass multiple paragraphs within it.

passage

A passage refers to a portion of a written work, speech, or text, often conveying a specific idea or narrative.
Example: The passage describing the protagonist's childhood was particularly moving.
Note: A passage can be shorter or longer than a paragraph and may not necessarily follow the typical structure of a paragraph.

segment

A segment is a distinct part or portion of something, often used to break down content into manageable units.
Example: The segment discussing environmental issues highlighted the need for immediate action.
Note: A segment can refer to a smaller or larger portion than a paragraph, and it may not always denote a complete thought as a paragraph does.

block

A block refers to a chunk or group of text that is visually set apart from the rest of the content.
Example: The writer used a block of text to provide background information on the topic.
Note: A block may consist of one or more paragraphs but is more about the visual presentation rather than the content structure.

Paragraph expressions, common phrases

In a nutshell

This phrase means to give a concise summary or explanation of something.
Example: Can you summarize the main points of the paragraph in a nutshell?
Note: This phrase is used to provide a brief overview, unlike a paragraph which contains detailed information.

To put it simply

This phrase is used to introduce a simplified or straightforward explanation.
Example: To put it simply, the paragraph discusses the impact of climate change on biodiversity.
Note: It implies breaking down complex information into simpler terms, unlike a paragraph which may contain detailed analysis.

Bottom line

This phrase refers to the main point or conclusion of a paragraph or discussion.
Example: The bottom line is that the paragraph emphasizes the importance of education in reducing poverty.
Note: It focuses on the ultimate conclusion or key takeaway, unlike a paragraph which may contain supporting details.

To sum up

This phrase is used to provide a concise summary or conclusion.
Example: To sum up, the paragraph highlights the need for sustainable energy solutions.
Note: It signals a brief overview or conclusion, contrasting with the detailed content found in a paragraph.

The gist of it

This phrase means the essential or main point of something.
Example: I need to understand the gist of the paragraph before discussing it further.
Note: It captures the core idea or essence, unlike a paragraph which may contain supporting details and explanations.

Paragraph everyday (slang) expressions

TL;DR

TL;DR stands for 'too long; didn't read'. It is used to provide a concise summary or conclusion for lengthy text.
Example: I wrote a long article, but here's the TL;DR version for those who want a quick summary.
Note: TL;DR is specifically used for summarizing lengthy content and is more informal compared to 'paragraph'.

TL;DW

TL;DW means 'too long; didn't watch'. It is used to summarize or provide a brief overview of lengthy videos.
Example: The video was too long to watch fully, so I checked out a TL;DW summary instead.
Note: Similar to TL;DR, TL;DW is used for summarizing audiovisual content rather than written text.

TL;DC

TL;DC stands for 'too long; didn't care'. It is used when someone is disinterested in reading a lengthy piece of text.
Example: I don't have time to read the whole article, can you give me the TL;DC version?
Note: Unlike a paragraph which is a standard unit of text, TL;DC implies a lack of interest or importance placed on the content.

The skinny

'The skinny' means the essential information or summary of a situation or story.
Example: Just give me the skinny on what happened, I don't need all the details.
Note: While a paragraph conveys detailed information, 'the skinny' focuses on providing just the key points or summary.

In a word

The phrase 'in a word' is used to sum up or express something concisely in a single word or brief phrase.
Example: In a word, the movie was disappointing.
Note: This phrase is more concise and direct compared to a paragraph which typically contains multiple sentences to convey information.

Nitty-gritty

The term 'nitty-gritty' refers to the detailed or practical aspects of a situation, rather than focusing on general or superficial elements.
Example: Let's skip the small talk and get straight to the nitty-gritty of the matter.
Note: While a paragraph may cover various aspects of a topic, 'nitty-gritty' specifically refers to the essential details or core elements.

The gist

'The gist' refers to the main point or essence of something, providing a condensed version of the key information.
Example: Can you give me the gist of the story? I don't have time to read the whole thing.
Note: Compared to a paragraph that includes detailed information, 'the gist' gives a concise summary focusing on the main idea or key points.

Paragraph - Examples

The essay should have at least three paragraphs.
She highlighted the important points in the first paragraph.
The article consists of several paragraphs.

Paragraph grammar

Paragraph - Noun (Noun) / Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass)
Lemma: paragraph
Conjugations
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): paragraphs
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): paragraph
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): paragraphed
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): paragraphing
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): paragraphs
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): paragraph
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): paragraph
Syllables, Separation and Stress
paragraph Contains 3 syllables: par • a • graph
Phonetic transcription: ˈper-ə-ˌgraf
par a graph , ˈper ə ˌgraf (The red syllable is stressed)

Paragraph - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
paragraph: ~ 2400 (Very common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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