prone

¹ American  

[prohn] / proʊn /

adjective

1. having a natural inclination or tendency to something; disposed; liable.

   to be prone to anger.

   Synonyms:

   subject, apt

2. having the front or ventral part downward; lying face downward.

3. lying flat; prostrate.

   Synonyms:

   recumbent

4. having a downward direction or slope.

5. having the palm downward, as the hand.

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prone ² American  

[prohn] / proʊn /

noun

1. a sermon or a brief hortatory introduction to a sermon, usually delivered at a service at which the Eucharist is celebrated.

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prone ¹ British  

/ prəʊn /

adjective

1. lying flat or face downwards; prostrate

2. sloping or tending downwards

3. having an inclination to do something

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-prone ² British  

combining form

1. liable or disposed to suffer

   accident-prone

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Other Word Forms

• pronely adverb
• proneness noun

Etymology

Origin of prone¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin prōnus “turned or leaning forward, inclined downward, disposed,” adverb based on prō pro ¹ ( def. )

Origin of prone²

First recorded in 1660–70; from French prône “grill, grating (separating chancel from nave),” so called because notices and addresses were delivered there, from Old French prodne, prorne, prosne, by way of a Medieval Latin or Late Latin intermediary such as protinum (unrecorded) from Latin prothyrum “foyer, porch, vestibule,” from Greek próthyron, from pró pro- ² ( def. ) + thýra “door” ( door ( def. ) )

Explanation

If you're prone to doing something, it means you're likely to do it, have a habit of doing it, or are susceptible to it. People who are prone to getting the flu every winter should probably get a flu shot in the fall. The second meaning of prone is "lying face down," and the Latin root is pronare, "to bend forward." This is a handy way to remember both meanings: if you tend to wait to start your term paper until the night before it's due, you are prone to procrastination — you bend toward it. If you stay up so late you fall asleep face down in the book, you are now prone at your desk.

Example Sentences

“Probably in the U.S. there is always a little bit more exposure compared with Europe because the U.S. market tends to be always a little bit more risk tolerant or prone to risk,” Terzariol said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Keep in mind the longer the breakout, the more success prone it tends to be.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

“This market requires investors to stay hedged and nimble as new information hits the tape, but we caution against flipping short as current positioning is prone to squeeze risk amid potential resolution headlines,” they said.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

And Snoeijs admits athletes are particularly prone to soldiering on.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

The eldest son bounced a ball against the wall; the youngest remained prone.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

Related Words

• apt
• devoted
• exposed
• inclined
• ready
• sensitive
• susceptible
• willing