prone

[ prohn ]

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.

Origin of prone

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

Other words for prone

1	apt, subject, tending
3	recumbent

See synonyms for prone on Thesaurus.com

Other words from prone

pronely, adverb
proneness, noun

Words that may be confused with prone

prone , prostate, prostrate, supine

Other definitions for prone (2 of 2)

prone²

[ prohn ]

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. 2023

How to use prone in a sentence

Maybe; but ask the insurance companies about accident prones.
Accidental Death | Peter Baily

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

Origin of prone

C14: from Latin prōnus bent forward, from pro- 1

Derived forms of prone

pronely, adverb
proneness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for -prone (2 of 2)

-prone

adj combining form

liable or disposed to suffer: accident-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

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