noun B1 Intermediate Common

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

The way in which the different parts of something are arranged or combined.

"The chemical composition of the soil affects what can grow there."

A piece of music, writing, or art that has been created.

"This is one of the composer's earliest surviving compositions."

The arrangement of visual elements within a picture or photograph.

"The photographer adjusted the composition to include more sky."

A short piece of writing, especially one written as a school exercise.

"The students wrote a composition about their summer holidays."

How to use composition

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word forms

compositions plural

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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.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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layout configuration formation mixture piece work constitution blend melange arrangement form makeup

Related words

make work system law order body form deal

Rhymes for composition

region ablation allusion emulsion ideation novation abortion abrasion diffusion elocution extension oxidation

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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.

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