prosaic

[ proh-zey-ik ]

adjective

1. commonplace or dull; matter-of-fact or unimaginative:

   a prosaic mind.

   Synonyms: uninteresting, tiresome, tedious, humdrum, vapid, everyday, ordinary

2. of or having the character or form of prose, the ordinary form of spoken or written language, rather than of poetry.

prosaic

/ prəʊˈzeɪɪk /

adjective

1. lacking imagination
2. having the characteristics of prose

Derived Forms

• proˈsaicness, noun
• proˈsaically, adverb

Other Words From

• pro·sai·cal·ly adverb
• pro·saic·ness noun
• nonpro·saic adjective
• nonpro·saic·ness noun
• nonpro·sai·cal·ly adverb
• unpro·saic adjective
• unpro·saic·ness noun
• unpro·sai·cal adjective
• unpro·sai·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of prosaic¹

First recorded in 1650–60, prosaic is from the Late Latin word prōsaicus. See prose, -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of prosaic¹

C16: from Late Latin prōsaicus, from Latin prōsa prose

Example Sentences

Here, water transport assumes a form that is grandly ritualistic if decidedly prosaic.

From Los Angeles Times

There is another, more prosaic, explanation for what happened: the deep cuts to the company's workforce that Mr Musk instigated.

From BBC

They are all events where ceremony and vivid pictures varnish the more prosaic political promises.

From BBC

“It was a reminder that the special object in your home, whether prosaic or precious, can be true markers of the history that has shaped our community.”

From Seattle Times

And what to make of the fact that all of these images and words were lifted from a single prosaic source.

From New York Times

Related Words

• banal
• drab
• everyday
• humdrum
• mundane
• workaday