Wordul · all words

noun · 1 syllable · /feɪz/

PHASE

What does "PHASE" mean?

A distinct stage or period in a process of change or development.

Meanings

  1. A particular stage in a sequence of events or a process of growth. The project is entering its final phase.
  2. Each of the apparent shapes of the Moon or a planet as it is lit by the Sun. The new moon is the phase when the lit side faces away from Earth. technical
  3. A physically distinct state of matter, such as solid, liquid, or gas. At its triple point, water exists in all three phases at once. technical
  4. To carry out or introduce something in gradual stages. The company plans to phase in the new software over six months.

Did you know?

  • 'Phase' and 'phantom' share a Greek root meaning 'to show': a phase is literally an appearance, which is why the Moon's lit shapes were the word's first English meaning.

Word origin

From Greek 'phasis' (appearance, esp. of a star), from 'phainein' (to show, bring to light); into New Latin and then English in the 17th century, first of the Moon's appearances.

Remember it

PHASE starts with PH like PHoton and PHysics - science words that show up where light and waves do.

A little poem

The moon shows one slice,
then more, then all, then nothing-
the same rock, rephrased.

haiku

Wordplay

  • My parents said my interest in the Moon was just a phase. I told them it was several, in a predictable cycle.

What it teaches

Nothing that changes is ever finished; it's only between phases.

Quick facts

What does PHASE mean?

A distinct stage or period in a process of change or development.

Is PHASE a valid word?

Yes — PHASE is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.

How many letters is PHASE?

PHASE has 5 letters and 1 syllable.

Where does PHASE come from?

From Greek 'phasis' (appearance, esp. of a star), from 'phainein' (to show, bring to light); into New Latin and then English in the 17th century, first of the Moon's appearances.

What can PHASE teach us?

Nothing that changes is ever finished; it's only between phases.

How players do

Be the first to solve it.

Play today's Wordul →