prosaic
Americanadjective
-
lacking imagination
-
having the characteristics of prose
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of prosaic
First recorded in 1650–60, prosaic is from the Late Latin word prōsaicus. See prose, -ic
Explanation
Prosaic means ordinary or dull. Most of us lead a prosaic everyday life, sometimes interrupted by some drama or crisis. This adjective is from Latin prosa, "prose," which is ordinary writing intended to communicate ideas and information. Prose is often contrasted with poetry, which usually has a more imaginative and original style.
Vocabulary lists containing prosaic
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"The Monkey's Paw," Vocabulary from the short story
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Dracula
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The blending of the prosaic with the philosophical creates a recasting of Plato’s cave allegory, though Ms. Day’s proximate influences often seem more postmodern.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
Meek, a 10-year-old Black girl, is grappling with her fears of nuclear Armageddon as more prosaic domestic concerns kick into high gear.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
The implication is these disasters are being deliberately engineered, but Loader believes the causes have more prosaic roots, and have their origins in economics.
From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2026
As the pair do some sightseeing, share meals and otherwise fill their days with prosaic acts, more than 30 minutes of screen time elapses in what amounts to stage-setting.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 19, 2026
AIDS, as tragic as it is, pales in worldwide comparison to the more prosaic malaria, among other diseases.
From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
