prose
PROHZ
Prose (noun) means Ordinary written or spoken language, as opposed to poetry. Example: “The novel is written in clear, simple prose.”
noun
1
Ordinary written or spoken language, as opposed to poetry.
"The novel is written in clear, simple prose."
"He switched from writing poetry to prose in his later career."
"Her essays are full of lively, plain prose that anyone can enjoy."
verb
1
To write or speak in a dull, long-winded way.
"He prosed on about his holiday for nearly an hour."
"Please don't prose on about the budget during the whole meeting."
"The speaker prosed endlessly until half the audience had fallen asleep."
How to use prose
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRegular written or spoken language, as opposed to poetry with its rhyme and meter.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
prose and poetry
prose style
a work of prose
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Word forms
- Plural
- proses
- Third person singular
- proses
- Past tense
- prosed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The novel is written in clear, simple _____.
Etymology
From Old French prose, from Latin prosa, short for prosa oratio ("straightforward speech"), meaning language without the patterns and ornament of verse.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for prose
See all rhymes for prose →Frequently asked questions
What does “prose” mean?
The word “prose” means ordinary written or spoken language, as opposed to poetry. In plain terms, regular written or spoken language, as opposed to poetry with its rhyme and meter.
How do you pronounce “prose”?
“Prose” is pronounced PROHZ (/ˈpɹoʊz/ in IPA).
How do you use “prose” in a sentence?
Here is “prose” used in a sentence: “The novel is written in clear, simple prose.”
What is the opposite of “prose”?
The opposite of “prose” — its antonyms — are poetry and verse.
What part of speech is “prose”?
Depending on how it is used, “prose” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “prose” come from?
The word “prose” comes from Latin. From Old French prose, from Latin prosa, short for prosa oratio ("straightforward speech"), meaning language without the patterns and ornament of verse.
Is “prose” a common word?
“Prose” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “prose” have?
“Prose” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: ordinary written or spoken language, as opposed to poetry.
What is the difference between prose and poetry?
Prose is ordinary written or spoken language structured in sentences and paragraphs, without the deliberate rhythm, meter, or line breaks that define poetry. Novels, essays, news articles, and everyday speech are all written in prose.
What is meant by prose fiction?
Prose fiction refers to imaginative storytelling, such as novels and short stories, written in ordinary sentence form rather than verse. It contrasts with poetic forms like epic poems, which tell stories using meter and line structure.
Why is the verb 'prose' considered old-fashioned?
The verb sense of prose, meaning to write or speak in a dull, long-winded way, is rarely used in modern English and sounds formal or literary. Most speakers today only use prose as a noun for ordinary written or spoken language.
