prop
prop
Prop (noun) means an object used to support something, or to keep it in place. Example: “They used a wooden pole as a prop to hold up the sagging fence.”
noun
1
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."
"A stack of bricks served as a prop under the broken table leg."
"The gardener placed a short stick as a prop beside the drooping tomato plant."
2
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."
"The drama club painted a cardboard sword to use as a prop in the play."
"Before the scene began, the actor checked that every prop was on the table."
3
A proposition on an election ballot.
"Voters will decide on the new prop this November."
"The local prop on the ballot would pay for a new library."
"Many people in the queue were still reading about the prop before they voted."
verb
1
To support something by placing an object under or against it.
"He propped the door open with a brick."
"She propped her bike against the wall while she went into the shop."
"I propped the ladder up against the tree and climbed carefully."
How to use prop
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- props
- Third person singular
- props
- Past tense
- propped
Fill the gap
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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").
Related words
Rhymes for prop
See all rhymes for prop →Frequently asked questions
What does “prop” mean?
The word “prop” means an object used to support something, or to keep it in place. In plain terms, something used to hold another thing up or steady, or an object used on a film/stage set.
How do you pronounce “prop”?
“Prop” is pronounced prop (/pɹɑp/ in IPA).
How do you use “prop” in a sentence?
Here is “prop” used in a sentence: “They used a wooden pole as a prop to hold up the sagging fence.”
What part of speech is “prop”?
Depending on how it is used, “prop” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “prop” come from?
The word “prop” comes from German. From Middle Dutch proppe ("support, plug"), related to German Pfropfen ("plug").
Is “prop” a common word?
“Prop” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “prop” have?
“Prop” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an object used to support something, or to keep it in place.
What is the difference between a prop and a set piece in film or theatre?
A prop is an object actors handle or use to help tell the story, such as a phone or a weapon, while a set piece is part of the fixed scenery or environment, such as a wall or a staircase. Props typically move with the action, while set pieces generally stay in place.
What does prop mean on an election ballot?
On a ballot, a prop is short for a proposition, a measure put to voters for approval or rejection, often labeled with a number, such as Prop 8. This sense is distinct from the physical support or stage-object meanings of the word.
What is the difference between prop as a noun and prop as a verb?
As a noun, a prop is an object that supports something or is used on a stage or ballot, while as a verb, to prop means to actively support something by placing an object under or against it, as in "prop the door open."
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