Word
prone
US/ˈpɹoʊn/
UK/pɹˈəʊn/
Definitions
01likely to experience something
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. likely to do something or suffer from something, especially something bad.
adj. having a natural inclination or tendency toward a particular condition or action, typically one that is negative or disadvantageous.
“He is prone to headaches when he works too long at the computer.”
“The region is particularly prone to flash flooding during the monsoon season, requiring residents to maintain constant vigilance.”
Usage
Usually followed by the preposition 'to' and a noun or a gerund.
Pitfall
He is prone for accidents.
He is prone to accidents.
The adjective 'prone' is followed by the preposition 'to', not 'for'.
Synonyms
02lying face down
C1 · Advanced Medicine Technical
adj. lying flat on your front with your face pointing downwards.
adj. lying in a horizontal position with the front of the body facing the ground.
“The patient was placed in a prone position to help them breathe more easily.”
“The instructor demonstrated how to achieve a stable prone position on the mats before the trainees began the target practice session.”
Usage
Often used in medical or military contexts to describe body position.
Antonyms
03to place face down
C2 · Proficiency Medicine Technical
v. to put someone into a position where they are lying on their front.
v. to place a person in a face-down position, especially for medical treatment.
“The nurses had to prone the patient every few hours to prevent skin problems.”
“Clinical guidelines suggest that medical staff should prone patients with severe respiratory distress to improve oxygenation levels in the blood.”
Usage
This is a transitive verb used almost exclusively in clinical settings.
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “prone” in context.
Real-World Examples
“These "toddler" stars are prone to throwing fits.” “While Spain isn't particularly prone to earthquakes like some South American countries, Japan and Indonesia for example, they are more common in the south of the country.” Etymology
From Middle English prone, proone, proon, from Latin prōnus (“turned forward, bent or inclined”), from prō (“forward”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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