multi-word expression

noun

A lexeme-like unit made up of a sequence of two or more words that has properties that are not predictable from the properties of the individual words or their normal mode of combination, such as an idiom ("pay the piper"), a phrasal noun ("steam iron"), a phrasal preposition ("in front of"), or a phrasal verb ("buy off").

Similar
MWEpolynym
Opposite
mononymuninym
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Meanings

nounmulti-word expression (plural multi-word expressions)

plural multi-word expressions · alternative multiword expression

  1. human sciencesA lexeme-like unit made up of a sequence of two or more words that has properties that are not predictable from the properties of the individual words or their normal mode of combination, such as an idiom ("pay the piper"), a phrasal noun ("steam iron"), a phrasal preposition ("in front of"), or a phrasal verb ("buy off").

    Synonyms: MWE, polynym

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA lexeme-like unit made up of a sequence of two or more words that has properties that are not predictable from the properties of the individual words or their normal mode of combination, such as an idiom ("pay the piper"), a phrasal noun ("steam iron"), a phrasal preposition ("in front of"), or a phrasal verb ("buy off").

Similar
MWEpolynym
Opposite
mononymuninym
Also see
polynym

Translations

German Mehrwortgefüge
  • MehrwortgefügeTranslations
Polish polinim
  • polinimTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

multi-word expression. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/multi-word%20expression

MLA

“multi-word expression.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/multi-word%20expression. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “multi-word expression,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/multi-word%20expression.

Source: multi-word expression on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.