prop

[ prop ]

/ prɒp /

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verb (used with object), propped, prop·ping.

to support, or prevent from falling, with or as if with a prop (often followed by up): to prop an old fence; to prop up an unpopular government.

to rest (a thing) against a support: He propped his cane against the wall.

to support or sustain (often followed by up).

noun

a stick, rod, pole, beam, or other rigid support.

a person or thing serving as a support or stay: His father is his financial prop.

OTHER WORDS FOR prop

1 brace, buttress, bolster.

See synonyms for prop on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of prop

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English noun prop(p)e “support, support for a vine or plant”; cognate with Middle Dutch proppe “bottle stopper,” early Modern Dutch “support for vines”

OTHER WORDS FROM prop

un·propped, adjective

Other definitions for prop (2 of 5)

prop²

[ prop ]

/ prɒp /

noun Theater.

property (def. 8).

Origin of prop

First recorded in 1910–15; by shortening

OTHER WORDS FROM prop

propless, adjective

Other definitions for prop (3 of 5)

prop³

[ prop ]

/ prɒp /

noun

a propeller.

Origin of prop

First recorded in 1910–15; by shortening

Other definitions for prop (4 of 5)

prop-

a combining form representing propionic acid in compound words: propanil.

Other definitions for prop (5 of 5)

prop.

abbreviation

properly.

property.

proposition.

proprietary.

proprietor.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use prop in a sentence

This prop has hit in 22 of the past 27 Super Bowls, and with just a 3½-point spread, another close game could be at hand this year.
The best prop bets for Super Bowl LV|Matt Bonesteel, Neil Greenberg|February 1, 2021|Washington Post
Unveiling a host of astronauts, then, was premature, according to many in the space industry, who bristled at the political nature of the council meeting and felt the astronauts were being used as props.
As Pence names which astronauts will go to the moon, some see a political ploy|Christian Davenport|December 9, 2020|Washington Post
It looks like an aircraft engine, but it has no hub—the prop blades are connected to the outer rim.
Electric propulsion makes this French submarine concept extra sneaky|Christina Mackenzie|November 30, 2020|Popular-Science
The couple decided to transform the experience into visual metaphor, assisted by just their own imaginations, a compact Sony digital camera with a 50-millimeter lens, several flash units and whatever props they could improvise.
For this artist and his girlfriend, life in lockdown became a creative opportunity|Mark Jenkins|November 12, 2020|Washington Post

We think that prop 22 has now created a model that can be replicated and can be scaled.
California voters sided with Uber, denying drivers benefits by classifying them as contractors|Faiz Siddiqui, Nitasha Tiku|November 4, 2020|Washington Post
Lotto is propped up by the notion that “Hey, you never know” though of course you do know—you know that you will not win.
A Doctor Explains Why Cruise Ships Should Be Banned|Kent Sepkowitz|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The police state system that propped up dictators from Algiers to Islamabad for decades was unsustainable.
Why’s Al Qaeda So Strong? Washington Has (Literally) No idea|Bruce Riedel|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In a dim backroom of a mud hut in Save, 82-year-old Teresa Nyirabutunda sits propped upright in bed by her daughter, Francine.
After the Genocide, Rwanda’s Widows Aging Alone|Nina Strochlic|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mitchum himself is propped up against a wall, talking to two journalists.
The Stacks: Mr. Bad Taste and Trouble Himself: Robert Mitchum|Robert Ward|July 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His heavily bandaged right leg is propped up on a stool in his apartment and his crutches lean on fridge.
Photographs Expose Russian-Trained Killers in Kiev|Jamie Dettmer|March 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Simon the high priest, the son of Onias, who in his life propped up the house, and in his days fortified the temple.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
He had a flashlight gun in his right hand, and a photographer's tripod was propped upright between his knees.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
Black Hood propped one foot on a laboratory stool, rested an elbow on his knee.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
She went up to bed early, leaving him seated in moody thought, his elbows propped on the worn oilcloth of the supper table.
Summer|Edith Wharton
Bud propped the handle of the frying pan high with a forked stick, and stood up.
Cabin Fever|B. M. Bower

British Dictionary definitions for prop (1 of 3)

prop¹

/ (prɒp) /

verb props, propping or propped (when tr, often foll by up)

(tr) to support with a rigid object, such as a stick

(tr usually also foll by against) to place or lean

(tr) to sustain or support

(intr) Australian and NZ to stop suddenly or unexpectedly

noun

something that gives rigid support, such as a stick

a person or thing giving support, as of a moral or spiritual nature

rugby either of the forwards at either end of the front row of a scrum

Word Origin for prop

C15: related to Middle Dutch proppe vine prop; compare Old High German pfropfo shoot, German Pfropfen stopper

British Dictionary definitions for prop (2 of 3)

prop²

/ (prɒp) /

noun

short for property (def. 8)

British Dictionary definitions for prop (3 of 3)

prop³

/ (prɒp) /

noun

an informal word for propeller

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with prop

prop

see knock the bottom (props) out from.

prop

OTHER WORDS FOR prop

Origin of prop

OTHER WORDS FROM prop

Other definitions for prop (2 of 5)

Origin of prop

OTHER WORDS FROM prop

Other definitions for prop (3 of 5)

Origin of prop

Other definitions for prop (4 of 5)

Other definitions for prop (5 of 5)

Words related to prop

How to use prop in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for prop (1 of 3)

Word Origin for prop

British Dictionary definitions for prop (2 of 3)

British Dictionary definitions for prop (3 of 3)

Other Idioms and Phrases with prop