First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1prose
noun \ˈprōz\
: writing that is not poetry : ordinary writing
Full Definition of PROSE
1
2
: a dull or ordinary style, quality, or condition
See prose defined for English-language learners
See prose defined for kids
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Examples of PROSE
- … the esteemed critic James Wood reaches out to assure “the common reader” … that his prose is as free as he can make it of what James Joyce termed “the true scholastic stink” of so much academic writing. —Walter Kirn, New York Times Book Review, 17 Aug. 2008
- Like many two-person writing teams, this one produces its share of three-legged prose and redundancy. —James McManus, New York Times Book Review, 15 Apr. 2001
- In my own work I felt a need to hurry from climax as in film montage, or even in Joycean prose with its strings of firecracker words … —Arthur Miller, Timebends, 1987
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Origin of PROSE
Other Literature Terms
2prose
adjective \ˈprōz\
Definition of PROSE
1
: of, relating to, or written in prose
2
: prosaic
Origin of PROSE
(see 1prose)
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Literature Terms
3prose
verb \ˈprōz\
prosedpros·ing
Definition of PROSE
intransitive verb
1
: to write prose
2
: to write or speak in a dull or ordinary manner
Examples of PROSE
- ‘In the meantime,’ said Traddles, coming back to his chair; ‘and this is the end of my prosing about myself, I get on as well as I can. I don't make much, but I don't spend much…’ —Charles Dickens, David Copperfield, 1850
Origin of PROSE
(see 1prose)
First Known Use: 1642
Other Literature Terms
PROSE Defined for Kids
prose
noun \ˈprōz\
Definition of PROSE for Kids
1
: the ordinary language that people use in speaking or writing
2
: writing without the repeating rhythm that is used in poetry
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