compose

[ kuhm-pohz ]

/ kəmˈpoʊz /

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See synonyms for: compose / composed / composing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), com·posed, com·pos·ing.

to make or form by combining things, parts, or elements: He composed his speech from many research notes.

to be or constitute a part or element of: a rich sauce composed of many ingredients.

to make up or form the basis of: Style composes the essence of good writing.

to put or dispose in proper form or order: to compose laws into a coherent system.

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

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

to end or settle (a quarrel, dispute, etc.): The union and management composed their differences.

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

Printing.

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

verb (used without object), com·posed, com·pos·ing.

to engage in composition, especially musical composition.

to enter into composition; fall into an arrangement: a scene that composes well.

OTHER WORDS FOR compose

8 settle, collect.

See synonyms for compose on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of compose

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Middle French word composer.See com-, pose¹

OTHER WORDS FROM compose

com·pos·a·ble, adjectiveun·com·pos·a·ble, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH compose

compose , comprise

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use compose in a sentence

Adults 65 and older compose 16 percent of the US population but account for about 80 percent of Covid-19 deaths.
Who Should Get a Covid-19 Vaccine First?|Jill Neimark|November 20, 2020|Singularity Hub
We don’t have a good definition of any of those three words that compose that term.
Podcast: Can you teach a machine common sense?|Anthony Green|November 11, 2020|MIT Technology Review
PLTP is composed of Meridiam, Star America and Fluor Enterprises.
Bank gives Purple Line firms more time to reach a settlement with Maryland and avoid potential default on debt|Katherine Shaver|November 8, 2020|Washington Post
Wiedmaier says he’s dropped eight to 10 dishes from the menu, which encourages diners to compose their own four- to six-course dinners.
A reopened Marcel’s reminds me that fine dining, especially now, is about more than food|Tom Sietsema|November 6, 2020|Washington Post

He won in the city’s urban core, the South Bay and in southeastern San Diego – areas that are disproportionately composed of renters, people with lower incomes, young people and people of color.
San Diego Is a Big City – Todd Gloria Wants it to Act Like One|Andrew Keatts|November 6, 2020|Voice of San Diego

British Dictionary definitions for compose

compose

/ (kəmˈpəʊz) /

verb (mainly tr)

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

to be the component elements of

to produce or create (a musical or literary work)

(intr) to write music

to calm (someone, esp oneself); make quiet

to adjust or settle (a quarrel, etc)

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

printing to set up (type)

Word Origin for compose

C15: from Old French composer, from Latin compōnere to put in place; see component

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

compose

OTHER WORDS FOR compose

Origin of compose

OTHER WORDS FROM compose

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH compose

Words related to compose

How to use compose in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for compose

Word Origin for compose