prone
1[ prohn ]
/ proʊn /
Save This Word!
adjective
having a natural inclination or tendency to something; disposed; liable: to be prone to anger.
having the front or ventral part downward; lying face downward.
lying flat; prostrate.
having a downward direction or slope.
having the palm downward, as the hand.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of prone
11350–1400; Middle English <Latin prōnus turned or leaning forward, inclined downward, disposed, prone
OTHER WORDS FROM prone
pronely, adverbproneness, nounOther definitions for prone (2 of 2)
prone2
[ prohn ]
/ proʊn /
noun
a sermon or a brief hortatory introduction to a sermon, usually delivered at a service at which the Eucharist is celebrated.
Origin of prone
2First recorded in 1660–70, prone is from the French word prône grill, grating (separating chancel from nave); so called because notices and addresses were delivered there
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use prone in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for prone (1 of 2)
prone
/ (prəʊn) /
adjective
lying flat or face downwards; prostrate
sloping or tending downwards
having an inclination to do something
Derived forms of prone
pronely, adverbproneness, nounWord Origin for prone
C14: from Latin prōnus bent forward, from pro- 1
British Dictionary definitions for prone (2 of 2)
-prone
adj combining form
liable or disposed to sufferaccident-prone
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012