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

After scoring 13 times in their previous three matches, this was a more prosaic England display, with Thomas Tuchel's decision to leave Bellingham out of his starting line-up capturing most of the attention.

Read more on Barron's

The lacklustre performance raised concerns about Frank's prosaic tactics, which are a contrast to the club's 'to dare is to do' ethos.

Read more on Barron's

But Tottenham fans are beginning to show signs of discontent at Frank's prosaic tactics, which stand in stark contrast to the club's 'to dare is to do' ethos.

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Stiller’s approach is musical; his assembly of clips and photos is musical — poetic, not prosaic.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

While the work of their Attic cousins is celebrated for being high-minded and idealistic—all those ripped bodies, gods and goddesses—theirs, with its focus on everyday individuals and events, can be seen as prosaic.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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