prose

[ prohz ]

noun

1. the ordinary form of spoken or written language, without metrical structure, as distinguished from poetry or verse.
2. matter-of-fact, commonplace, or dull expression, quality, discourse, etc.
3. Liturgy. a hymn sung after the gradual, originating from a practice of setting words to the jubilatio of the alleluia.

adjective

1. of, in, or pertaining to prose.
2. commonplace; dull; prosaic.

verb (used with object)

, prosed, pros·ing.

1. to turn into or express in prose.

verb (used without object)

, prosed, pros·ing.

1. to write or talk in a dull, matter-of-fact manner.

prose

/ prəʊz /

noun

1. spoken or written language as in ordinary usage, distinguished from poetry by its lack of a marked metrical structure
2. a passage set for translation into a foreign language
3. commonplace or dull discourse, expression, etc
4. RC Church a hymn recited or sung after the gradual at Mass
5. modifier written in prose
6. modifier matter-of-fact

verb

1. to write or say (something) in prose
2. intr to speak or write in a tedious style

Derived Forms

• ˈproseˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• proselike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prose¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin prōsa (ōrātiō), literally, “straightforward (speech),” feminine of prōsus, prōrsus, contraction of prōversus “turned forward,” past participle of prōvertere “to turn forward,” equivalent to prō- pro- ¹ + vertere “to turn”

Word History and Origins

Origin of prose¹

C14: via Old French from Latin phrase prōsa ōrātiō straightforward speech, from prorsus prosaic, from prōvertere to turn forwards, from pro- ¹+ vertere to turn

Example Sentences

At the end of his article, Meyer urged his fellow Steinbeck scholars to “read Babb—if only to see for themselves the echoes of 'Grapes' that abound in her prose.”

From Salon

At the ceremony she was praised “for her intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life”.

From BBC

As Smith puts it in simple straightforward prose, Trump “resorted to crimes to cling to power.”

From Salon

"I was not waltzing across a stage and practising my Shakespearean prose."

From BBC

Polished prose, an action-packed quest across Japan and puzzles within the story too?

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• composition
• essay
• fiction
• nonfiction
• speech
• story
• text
• writing