prosaic

[ 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

Derived Forms

• proˈsaicness, noun
• proˈsaically, adverb

Other Words From

• pro·sai·cal·ly adverb
• pro·saic·ness noun
• nonpro·saic adjective
• nonpro·saic·ness noun
• nonpro·sai·cal·ly adverb
• unpro·saic adjective
• unpro·saic·ness noun
• unpro·sai·cal adjective
• unpro·sai·cal·ly 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

Yet for all his ambitious foreign-policy goals, Abe was undone by far more prosaic domestic concerns.

From Time

The prosaic poetry of what passes for workaday life, all around, even in places and among people accustomed to danger.

From Washington Post

Don’t miss out on a possible sale for something as prosaic as a needlessly complicated sign-up process.

From Search Engine Watch

Prosaic cow-punching was relegated to the rear and they looked eagerly forward to their several missions.

From Project Gutenberg

But it is startling indeed how suddenly sometimes the earth takes on a new wonderfulness, and Saint Prosaic a new halo.

From Project Gutenberg

Prosaic, unimaged, without poetry or myth, they dully persisted until pedlars appeared with Hellenic legends and wares.

From Project Gutenberg

Prosaic as these journeys may seem, they are nevertheless the inspiration of my hopes, the feeders of my visions.

From Project Gutenberg

Prosaic enough, however, was what she went on to tell him of her struggle for life by day and for learning by night.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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