prosaic

Sometimes pro·sa·i·cal

[proh-zey-ik]

adjective

1. commonplace or dull; matter-of-fact or unimaginative.

   a prosaic mind.

   Synonyms: uninteresting, tiresome, tedious, humdrum, vapid, everyday, ordinary

2. of or having the character or form of prose, the ordinary form of spoken or written language, rather than of poetry.

prosaic

/ prəʊˈzeɪɪk /

adjective

1. lacking imagination

2. having the characteristics of prose

Other Word Forms

• prosaically adverb
• prosaicness noun
• nonprosaic adjective
• nonprosaicness noun
• nonprosaically adverb
• unprosaic adjective
• unprosaicness noun
• unprosaical adjective
• unprosaically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of prosaic¹

First recorded in 1650–60, prosaic is from the Late Latin word prōsaicus. See prose, -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of prosaic¹

C16: from Late Latin prōsaicus, from Latin prōsa _prose

Example Sentences

It was, he said, nice to be dealing with prosaic concerns again.

From Los Angeles Times

There are hundreds of such passages throughout this 400-page book, which elevates the most prosaic of details, into hymn.

From Los Angeles Times

There are other, more prosaic, means of retaliation.

From Los Angeles Times

Are they a shield or for something more prosaic, short-sightedness perhaps?

From BBC

Here, water transport assumes a form that is grandly ritualistic if decidedly prosaic.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• banal 
• drab 
• everyday 
• humdrum 
• mundane 
• workaday