compose
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to make or form by combining things, parts, or elements.
He composed his speech from many research notes.
-
to be or constitute a part or element of.
a rich sauce composed of many ingredients.
-
to make up or form the basis of.
Style composes the essence of good writing.
-
to put or dispose in proper form or order.
to compose laws into a coherent system.
-
Art. to organize the parts or elements of (a picture or the like).
-
to create (a musical, literary, or choreographic work).
-
to end or settle (a quarrel, dispute, etc.).
The union and management composed their differences.
-
to bring (oneself, one's mind, etc.) to a condition of calmness, repose, etc.; calm; quiet.
-
Printing.
-
to set (type).
-
to set type for (an article, book, etc.).
-
verb (used without object)
-
to engage in composition, especially musical composition.
-
to enter into composition; fall into an arrangement.
a scene that composes well.
verb
-
to put together or make up by combining; put in proper order
-
to be the component elements of
-
to produce or create (a musical or literary work)
-
(intr) to write music
-
to calm (someone, esp oneself); make quiet
-
to adjust or settle (a quarrel, etc)
-
to order the elements of (a painting, sculpture, etc); design
-
printing to set up (type)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
composesimple
-
composessimple
-
have composedperfect
-
has composedperfect
-
am composingprogressive
-
are composingprogressive
-
is composingprogressive
-
have been composingperfect progressive
-
has been composingperfect progressive
Past
-
composedsimple
-
had composedperfect
-
was composingprogressive
-
were composingprogressive
-
had been composingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of compose
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Middle French word composer. See com-, pose 1
Explanation
To compose is to put something together, like a song, poem, or even yourself. You might want to compose yourself before returning to the party after a good cry. The word compose began with the Latin ponere, which means "to put, place," referring to placing or arranging any piece of work. It's been in the music business since the 1590s, and it's generally still used to describe the act of writing songs. But you can use it whenever you're pulling something together: you might compose an essay for English class, or notice that the class is composed of all girls.
Vocabulary lists containing compose
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 5
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
List 5
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Even after the agreement, and the first power-sharing government was formed in its wake, he continued to pose problems for the party and supported failed bids by others to oust Trimble from office.
From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026
Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia continue to pose a major global health challenge.
From Science Daily • Jun. 16, 2026
With a beating felt heart and lab beakers to pose with, the pop-up transformed an industrial studio space in the Arts District into a pastel-painted cardboard hospital.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2026
Some questions to pose to the group before the trip include: Does anyone have any dietary restrictions?
From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026
The evening was getting late, and Ilyumzhinov began to make motions to go, but before doing so, he asked Bobby to pose with him for a photograph.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
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.
