prone

[ prohn ]

/ proʊn /

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See synonyms for: prone / proneness on Thesaurus.com

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR prone

1 apt, subject, tending.

3 recumbent.

See synonyms for prone on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of prone

1350–1400; Middle English <Latin prōnus turned or leaning forward, inclined downward, disposed, prone

OTHER WORDS FROM prone

pronely, adverbproneness, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH prone

prone , prostate, prostrate, supine

Other 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

First 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. 2022

How to use prone in a sentence

He was funny and self-effacing, though prone to fits of anger.
‘All Good Cretins Go to Heaven’: Dee Dee Ramone’s Twisted Punk Paintings|Melissa Leon|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That gave a huge advantage to the sunny Republican prone to hugging supporters.
Tea Party Firebrand Wins Big in Iowa|Ben Jacobs|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Did her handlers fear what for the gaffe-prone Republican might say?
Did Joni Ernst’s Des Moines Register Diss Just Destroy Her ‘Iowa-Nice’?|Ben Jacobs|October 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some kids are prone to letting their minds wander and daydreaming.
Daydreaming Is Not a Disorder|Russell Saunders|October 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

For people prone to believe doctors like me are part of some malign conspiracy, nothing I say will make a difference.
Vaccines Are Poison, Cellphones Cause Cancer, and Other Medical Conspiracies|Russell Saunders|July 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Last night I saw Jean Baptiste lying prone upon the floor, and knew that she had beaten him down to it, and he had not resisted.
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux
He was flung down heavily, and pinned prone in a corner by one of those bullies who knelt on his spine.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
They are extremely prone to change, and in presence of animal matters readily ferment, and are converted into salts of ammonia.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry|Thomas Anderson
And here I was, prone and helpless, being powwowed not for one ailment, but for all the diseases known in Happy Valley.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
Man is innately more prone to good than to evil; and the path of his destiny is upward.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford

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, noun

Word 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

Medical definitions for prone

prone

[ prōn ]

adj.

Lying with the front or face downward.

Having a tendency; inclined.

adv.

In a prone manner.

prone

OTHER WORDS FOR prone

Origin of prone

OTHER WORDS FROM prone

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH prone

Other definitions for prone (2 of 2)

Origin of prone

Words related to prone

How to use prone in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for prone (1 of 2)

Derived forms of prone

Word Origin for prone

British Dictionary definitions for prone (2 of 2)

Medical definitions for prone