Which term is used for using descriptive phrases to avoid naming objects?

• A. Circumlocution
• B. Paraphasia
• C. Aphasia
• D. Dysarthria

Answer: (A)

Circumlocution is using descriptive phrases to avoid naming objects. It happens when a speaker can’t retrieve the exact word, so they describe features, function, or use instead—for example, saying “the thing you sit on with four legs and a back” rather than naming the object. This behavior is commonly seen in language impairments like aphasia, though it can occur in normal conversation as a strategy to keep talking when a word won’t come to mind.

Paraphasia involves substituting an incorrect or unintended word or sound (like saying “car” for “chair”), not describing the object. Aphasia is a broader language disorder affecting production or comprehension, not specifically the act of circumlocuting. Dysarthria is a motor speech problem that affects articulation, not the tendency to describe instead of naming. Thus, the term that best fits the description is circumlocution.