composition
kom-puh-ZIH-shuhn
Composition (noun) means the way in which the different parts of something are arranged or combined. Example: “The chemical composition of the soil affects what can grow there.”
noun
1
The way in which the different parts of something are arranged or combined.
"The chemical composition of the soil affects what can grow there."
"The composition of the team changed after two players left."
"Scientists analysed the composition of the rock sample in the lab."
2
A piece of music, writing, or art that has been created.
"This is one of the composer's earliest surviving compositions."
"She played a short piano composition that she had written herself."
"The gallery displays a large composition in oils by a local artist."
3
The arrangement of visual elements within a picture or photograph.
"The photographer adjusted the composition to include more sky."
"Placing the tree off-centre gives the painting a more balanced composition."
"Good composition matters more than expensive equipment when you take photographs."
4
A short piece of writing, especially one written as a school exercise.
"The students wrote a composition about their summer holidays."
"For homework we have to write a composition about our best friend."
"Her teacher praised the composition for its clear, lively style."
How to use composition
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow something is put together or made up — its makeup, structure, or (in art) its arrangement — or a creative work itself.
Common pairings
chemical composition
musical composition
photo composition
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like composition.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- compositions
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The chemical _____ of the soil affects what can grow there.
Etymology
From Old French composicion, from Latin compositio, the noun form of componere.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for composition
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for 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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include composition:
