prosaic
Americanadjective
-
lacking imagination
-
having the characteristics of prose
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of prosaic
First recorded in 1650–60, prosaic is from the Late Latin word prōsaicus. See prose, -ic
Explanation
Prosaic means ordinary or dull. Most of us lead a prosaic everyday life, sometimes interrupted by some drama or crisis. This adjective is from Latin prosa, "prose," which is ordinary writing intended to communicate ideas and information. Prose is often contrasted with poetry, which usually has a more imaginative and original style.
Vocabulary lists containing prosaic
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"The Monkey's Paw," Vocabulary from the short story
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Dracula
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Even the most powerful technologies must pass through the prosaic discipline of cost curves, capacity constraints and marginal returns,” the report said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026
The "Banjska incident" is a prosaic label for one of the most dramatic, dangerous and deadly days Kosovo has seen since it unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008.
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026
Frank's prosaic tactics have irritated Tottenham fans and some are already calling for his dismissal.
From Barron's • Jan. 6, 2026
If we must have a fourth and fifth “Avatar,” Cameron should ditch these increasingly prosaic battlefield thrills for something really bold: Follow the kids to alien college for a mumblecore movie.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2025
Though related to these abstract considerations, the mistaken belief in the mechanical nature of mathematics generally takes more prosaic forms.
From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
