prose

The word “prose” means ordinary written or spoken language, as opposed to poetry. In plain terms, regular written or spoken language, as opposed to poetry with its rhyme and meter.

“Prose” is pronounced PROHZ (/ˈpɹoʊz/ in IPA).

Here is “prose” used in a sentence: “The novel is written in clear, simple prose.”

The opposite of “prose” — its antonyms — are poetry and verse.

Depending on how it is used, “prose” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “prose” comes from Latin. From Old French prose, from Latin prosa, short for prosa oratio ("straightforward speech"), meaning language without the patterns and ornament of verse.

“Prose” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Prose” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: ordinary written or spoken language, as opposed to poetry.

Prose is ordinary written or spoken language structured in sentences and paragraphs, without the deliberate rhythm, meter, or line breaks that define poetry. Novels, essays, news articles, and everyday speech are all written in prose.

Prose fiction refers to imaginative storytelling, such as novels and short stories, written in ordinary sentence form rather than verse. It contrasts with poetic forms like epic poems, which tell stories using meter and line structure.

The verb sense of prose, meaning to write or speak in a dull, long-winded way, is rarely used in modern English and sounds formal or literary. Most speakers today only use prose as a noun for ordinary written or spoken language.