Phrase guide

that is to say

adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adv

Meaning 1

In other words. Used to introduce a clarification, simplification, or explanation

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: conjunctive, not-comparable

Examples

  • One of the best things about works of music is that they are repeatable, that is to say that one can listen to the same work over and over without becoming tired of it.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: that is, i.e., better put, in other words, put differently, that is to say, to put it another way, what this means is, which is to say

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

as follows

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: namely, viz., to wit, videlicet

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Calque of French c'est-à-dire.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Polish: mianowicie — in other words
  • Polish: czyli — in other words
  • Polish: to znaczy — in other words
  • Polish: to jest — in other words
  • Spanish: es decir — in other words