prosaic
Prosaic (adj) means Plain, ordinary, or dull, lacking imagination or excitement. Example: “His speech was competent but prosaic, with none of the passion the crowd wanted.”
How to use prosaic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBoring or unremarkable, the opposite of poetic or exciting.
Word forms
more prosaic comparative, most prosaic superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His speech was competent but _____, with none of the passion the crowd wanted.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin prosaicus ("in prose"), from Latin prosa ("prose"), ultimately from provorsus ("straightforward") — the sense shifted from "written in prose" to "plain and unpoetic" over time.
Rhymes for prosaic
See all rhymes for prosaic →Frequently asked questions
What does “prosaic” mean?
The word “prosaic” means plain, ordinary, or dull, lacking imagination or excitement. In plain terms, boring or unremarkable, the opposite of poetic or exciting.
How do you pronounce “prosaic”?
“Prosaic” is pronounced proh-ZAY-ihk (/pɹoʊˈzeɪ.ɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “prosaic” in a sentence?
Here is “prosaic” used in a sentence: “His speech was competent but prosaic, with none of the passion the crowd wanted.”
What part of speech is “prosaic”?
“Prosaic” is an adjective.
Where does the word “prosaic” come from?
The word “prosaic” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin prosaicus ("in prose"), from Latin prosa ("prose"), ultimately from provorsus ("straightforward") — the sense shifted from "written in prose" to "plain and unpoetic" over time.