prose

[prohz]

noun

1. the ordinary form of spoken or written language, without metrical structure, as distinguished from poetry or verse.

2. matter-of-fact, commonplace, or dull expression, quality, discourse, etc.

3. Liturgy.,  a hymn sung after the gradual, originating from a practice of setting words to the jubilatio of the alleluia.

adjective

1. of, in, or pertaining to prose.

2. commonplace; dull; prosaic.

verb (used with object)

prosed, prosing 

1. to turn into or express in prose.

verb (used without object)

prosed, prosing 

1. to write or talk in a dull, matter-of-fact manner.

prose

/ prəʊz /

noun

1. spoken or written language as in ordinary usage, distinguished from poetry by its lack of a marked metrical structure

2. a passage set for translation into a foreign language

3. commonplace or dull discourse, expression, etc

4. RC Church a hymn recited or sung after the gradual at Mass

5. (modifier) written in prose

6. (modifier) matter-of-fact

verb

1. to write or say (something) in prose

2. (intr) to speak or write in a tedious style

Other Word Forms

• proselike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prose¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin prōsa (ōrātiō), literally, “straightforward (speech),” feminine of prōsus, prōrsus, contraction of prōversus “turned forward,” past participle of prōvertere “to turn forward,” equivalent to prō- pro- ¹ + vertere “to turn”

Word History and Origins

Origin of prose¹

C14: via Old French from Latin phrase prōsa ōrātiō straightforward speech, from prorsus prosaic, from prōvertere to turn forwards, from _pro- ¹ + vertere to turn

Example Sentences

One of the first things that stands out about “Tokyo Express” is the elegant spareness of its prose.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Its mission was to produce prose in the style of Herman Melville’s famous story “Bartleby the Scrivener,” about an office worker who responds to his boss’s requests with “I would prefer not to.”

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Its orotund prose certainly differs from the lean muscularity of the Second Inaugural or the elegiac concision of the Gettysburg Address.

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This being a show that champions truth, justice and philosophically resonant prose, Lee and his kid skate free of trouble.

Read more on Salon

“His language, the rhythm of his prose, dictates the rhythm of delivery,” he says.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• composition 
• essay 
• fiction 
• nonfiction 
• speech 
• story 
• text 
• writing