compose

American  

[kuhm-pohz] / kəmˈpoʊz /

verb (used with object)

composed, composing

1. to make or form by combining things, parts, or elements.

   He composed his speech from many research notes.

2. to be or constitute a part or element of.

   a rich sauce composed of many ingredients.

3. to make up or form the basis of.

   Style composes the essence of good writing.

4. to put or dispose in proper form or order.

   to compose laws into a coherent system.

5. Art. to organize the parts or elements of (a picture or the like).

6. to create (a musical, literary, or choreographic work).

7. to end or settle (a quarrel, dispute, etc.).

   The union and management composed their differences.

8. to bring (oneself, one's mind, etc.) to a condition of calmness, repose, etc.; calm; quiet.

   Synonyms:

   collect, settle

9. Printing.

   1. to set (type).

   2. to set type for (an article, book, etc.).

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verb (used without object)

composed, composing

1. to engage in composition, especially musical composition.

2. to enter into composition; fall into an arrangement.

   a scene that composes well.

compose British  

/ kəmˈpəʊz /

verb

1. to put together or make up by combining; put in proper order

2. to be the component elements of

3. to produce or create (a musical or literary work)

4. (intr) to write music

5. to calm (someone, esp oneself); make quiet

6. to adjust or settle (a quarrel, etc)

7. to order the elements of (a painting, sculpture, etc); design

8. printing to set up (type)

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Other Word Forms

• composable
  adjective
• uncomposable
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of compose

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Middle French word composer. See com-, pose ¹

Explanation

To compose is to put something together, like a song, poem, or even yourself. You might want to compose yourself before returning to the party after a good cry. The word compose began with the Latin ponere, which means "to put, place," referring to placing or arranging any piece of work. It's been in the music business since the 1590s, and it's generally still used to describe the act of writing songs. But you can use it whenever you're pulling something together: you might compose an essay for English class, or notice that the class is composed of all girls.

Example Sentences

Compose an initial draft of six to 10 questions of 50 words or less and, after feedback from advisers, publish them as a ranked list three months before the election.

From Salon • Dec. 7, 2024

Those wishing for snappier text messages can turn to a new assistant called Magic Compose that can transform more mundane prose into something sounding like William Shakespeare.

From Reuters • May 11, 2023

People who use Google products have likely already encountered the company’s Smart Compose tool that suggests text as a writer types in a document or new email.

From Washington Times • Mar. 14, 2023

The company already uses similar language model technology for Gmail’s Smart Compose feature, or for search engine queries.

From The Verge • Jun. 13, 2022

“Now, young man, what can you do to entertain us? Sing songs? Tell stories? Compose sonnets? Juggle plates? Do tumbling tricks? Which is it?”

From "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster

Related Words

• conceive
• design
• devise
• form
• invent
• orchestrate
• pen
• produce
• set up
• write