composition
13 synonyms and 1 antonym for composition, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The way in which the different parts of something are arranged or combined.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use composition
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
chemical composition
musical composition
photo composition
Etymology
From Old French composicion, from Latin compositio, the noun form of componere.
Full origin of composition →Frequently asked questions
What does “composition” mean?
The word “composition” means the way in which the different parts of something are arranged or combined. In plain terms, how something is put together or made up — its makeup, structure, or (in art) its arrangement — or a creative work itself.
How do you pronounce “composition”?
“Composition” is pronounced kom-puh-ZIH-shuhn (/ˌkɑm.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “composition” in a sentence?
Here is “composition” used in a sentence: “The chemical composition of the soil affects what can grow there.”
What is another word for “composition”?
Words with a similar meaning to “composition” include constitution, blend, melange, arrangement, form and makeup.
What part of speech is “composition”?
“Composition” is a noun.
Where does the word “composition” come from?
The word “composition” comes from Latin. From Old French composicion, from Latin compositio, the noun form of componere.
Is “composition” a common word?
“Composition” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “composition” have?
“Composition” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the way in which the different parts of something are arranged or combined.
What is the difference between "composition" and "arrangement" in music?
A composition is an original piece of music created by a composer, while an arrangement is a reworking of an existing composition for different instruments or voices. Every arrangement is based on a piece that was first composed.
What is the difference between "composition" and "structure"?
"Composition" emphasises what something is made of and how its parts are combined, while "structure" emphasises how those parts are organised and held together. A piece of writing has a composition of ideas and a structure that orders them.
