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

By age 18, he would compose one of his first R&B songs, titled “Dame” — though the tenderly sung track wouldn’t be published until two years later.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

This routine begins to unravel into a quest for identity and existential meaning when Y is hired to compose a new patriotic anthem.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The idea was to compose a show that even those who weren’t “Monty Python” fans would enjoy, with hints of romance and sincerity absent from the source material.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

Giving evidence in court on Wednesday, her son initially struggled to compose himself, holding back tears as he complained of being "hassled" by the press since he was three years old.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

I sit on my bed, still dressed in my uniform and compose texts to Ellen that I’ll never send.

From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy

Related Words

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