prom
prom
Prom (noun) means a formal dance held by a high school or college, typically near the end of the school year. Example: “She spent weeks searching for the perfect dress for prom.”
noun
1
A formal dance held by a high school or college, typically near the end of the school year.
"She spent weeks searching for the perfect dress for prom."
"They rented a limo to arrive at prom in style."
"Everyone in the final year was talking about who would go to the prom together."
2
A promenade concert, especially one of a series of classical music concerts.
"Every summer the Proms fill the Royal Albert Hall with music lovers."
"We queued for cheap standing tickets to hear the orchestra at the prom last night."
"The prom this evening features a symphony and a choir, and the hall is packed."
How to use prom
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA school dance, or (in the UK) a promenade concert series.
UK vs US
In the US, "prom" almost always means the high-school dance. In the UK, "the Proms" usually refers to the BBC's summer classical music concerts.
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Word forms
- Plural
- proms
- Third person singular
- proms
- Past tense
- prommed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She spent weeks searching for the perfect dress for _____.
Etymology
A shortening of promenade.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for prom
See all rhymes for prom →Frequently asked questions
What does “prom” mean?
The word “prom” means a formal dance held by a high school or college, typically near the end of the school year. In plain terms, a school dance, or (in the UK) a promenade concert series.
How do you pronounce “prom”?
“Prom” is pronounced prom (/pɹɑm/ in IPA).
How do you use “prom” in a sentence?
Here is “prom” used in a sentence: “She spent weeks searching for the perfect dress for prom.”
What part of speech is “prom”?
“Prom” is a noun.
Is “prom” a common word?
“Prom” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “prom” have?
“Prom” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a formal dance held by a high school or college, typically near the end of the school year.
What is the difference between prom and homecoming?
Prom is a formal dance typically held near the end of the school year, often for older students, while homecoming is usually held earlier in the school year and is tied to a school's homecoming football game or reunion tradition. Prom is generally considered the more formal of the two events.
What is the difference between a school prom and a promenade concert prom?
A school prom is a formal dance held by a high school or college near the end of the academic year, while a promenade concert prom is a classical music concert, especially one in a series such as the BBC Proms. The two senses share the word but describe entirely different kinds of events.
Is prom the same as a formal dance in general?
Prom refers specifically to a formal dance associated with a high school or college, usually held near the end of the school year, rather than any formal dance in general. A wedding or charity ball, for example, would not typically be called a prom.
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