noun

prop

noun

An object used to support something, or to keep it in place.

"They used a wooden pole as a prop to hold up the sagging fence."

An object used on a stage or film set to help tell the story.

"The knife on set was just a rubber prop, not a real weapon."

A proposition on an election ballot.

"Voters will decide on the new prop this November."

verb

To support something by placing an object under or against it.

"He propped the door open with a brick."

How to Use Prop

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething used to hold another thing up or steady, or an object used on a film/stage set.

Common pairings

stage prop prop up ballot prop

Word Forms

propped past tense, propped past tense, props plural, props plural, props plural, props plural, props plural, props plural, props singular, props singular

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Can you complete this real example?

They used a wooden pole as a _____ to hold up the sagging fence.

Etymology

From Middle Dutch proppe ("support, plug"), related to German Pfropfen ("plug").

Rhymes for prop

drop crop Lathrop teardrop backdrop raindrop Winthrop eavesdrop

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