prop

¹

[ prop ]

verb (used with object)

, propped, prop·ping.

1. to support, or prevent from falling, with or as if with a prop (often followed by up ):

   to prop an old fence; to prop up an unpopular government.

   Synonyms: bolster, buttress, brace

2. to rest (a thing) against a support:

   He propped his cane against the wall.

3. to support or sustain (often followed by up ).

noun

1. a stick, rod, pole, beam, or other rigid support.
2. a person or thing serving as a support or stay:

   His father is his financial prop.

prop

²

[ prop ]

noun

, Theater.

1. property ( def 8 ).

prop

³

[ prop ]

noun

1. a propeller.

prop-

⁴

1. a combining form representing propionic acid in compound words:

   propanil.

prop.

⁵

abbreviation for

1. properly.
2. property.
3. proposition.
4. proprietary.
5. proprietor.

prop

¹

/ prɒp /

noun

1. an informal word for propeller

prop

²

/ prɒp /

verb

1. tr to support with a rigid object, such as a stick
2. trusually also foll byagainst to place or lean
3. tr to sustain or support
4. intr to stop suddenly or unexpectedly

noun

1. something that gives rigid support, such as a stick
2. a person or thing giving support, as of a moral or spiritual nature
3. rugby either of the forwards at either end of the front row of a scrum

prop

³

/ prɒp /

noun

1. short for property

Other Words From

• un·propped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prop¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English noun prop(p)e “support, support for a vine or plant”; cognate with Middle Dutch proppe “bottle stopper,” early Modern Dutch “support for vines”

Origin of prop²

First recorded in 1910–15; by shortening

Origin of prop³

First recorded in 1910–15; by shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of prop¹

C15: related to Middle Dutch proppe vine prop; compare Old High German pfropfo shoot, German Pfropfen stopper

Idioms and Phrases

see knock the bottom (props) out from .

Example Sentences

It has emerged over the years that staff members from “The Tonight Show” consulted with a magician, James Randi, who advised them on how to prepare the props to stymie him.

From New York Times

Heritage Auctions' executive vice president Joe Maddalena said the slippers were precious and were probably "the most important prop in Hollywood history".

From BBC

Instead, visitors were confronted with an “abandoned and empty warehouse” filled with drab props, with actors reading from an AI-generated script.

From BBC

He also stopped the policy of artificially propping up the value of the local currency, the naira, and let market forces determine its value.

From BBC

Foreign students, who pay nearly twice as much as Australian students on average, prop up some institutions, subsidising research, scholarships, and domestic study fees.

From BBC

Related Words

• brace

More About Prop

What does prop mean?

In theater and film, a prop is any item on the set of a production other than the costumes and scenery. It especially refers to an object handled or used by actors during their performance.

This can be just about anything: a sword, a supercomputer, and a coffee mug are all examples of things that can be used as props in a production. Sometimes, these are real objects (like the coffee mug), but sometimes they are specially made for the production (like the supercomputer).

The word can also be used more generally to refer to an item used in a similar way, such as during a presentation or photoshoot.

Example: At my improv class, we have a box of items we can use as props during each scene.

Unrelatedly, prop is also a common verb meaning to support something or hold it up, especially by using something else. This sense of the verb is most commonly used in the verb phrase prop up, as in One of the legs is broken so we had to prop up the table with the trash can. It can also be used figuratively, as in Holiday sales are the only thing propping up the company.

Prop can also mean rest or lean something against something else that serves as a support, as in I don’t have a stand for my guitar so I just prop it against the wall.

Something that serves as a support for something in this way can be called a prop, as in We’ll need to use a prop to keep it stable.

Example: Prop the door open with a chair so we don’t get locked out.

Where does prop come from?

The first records of the word prop in the sense of a support come from the 1400s. It comes from the Middle English word proppe, which is related to the Middle Dutch proppe, meaning “bottle stopper.”

In the context of theater and film, the word prop actually comes from a shortening of the word property, which can be used to mean the same thing (though this is now rare due to how common the use of prop is).

The unrelated term props means “recognition or respect” and comes from a shortening of propers (as in proper recognition or respect).

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for prop?

• brace
• buttress
• bolster
• aid
• assistance
• property

What are some words that often get used in discussing prop?

• theater
• movie
• play
• set
• scenery
• actor
• production
• up
• open
• against

How is prop used in real life?

The use of props in the theater and film is extremely common—even the most basic stage play usually has at least a few props. Some famous movie props become collector’s items. The unrelated verb prop is very common and can be used in all kinds of contexts involving supporting things or holding them up, both literally and figuratively.

For the first time, "Star Wars" fans can check out an original Luke Skywalker lightsaber prop—valued at $450,000. https://t.co/bjKbuMYGq6 pic.twitter.com/82goJggsEy

— ABC News (@ABC) December 15, 2017

Tell me something good that happened to you today.

Found my address book that was missing for months! Used it as a prop for an IG shoot and it had disappeared ever since.

— Resh Susan (@thebooksatchel) December 30, 2017

Couldn’t find my box of business cards to save my life this morning. Turns out I used it to prop up my “but first coffee” sign in my office. #priorites

— A L L I (@AlliKey1) September 20, 2019

Try using prop!

Is prop used correctly in the following sentence?

I was so exhausted that I had to prop myself against the wall just to stand up.