What does "prose" mean?

1. (ordinary writing) written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without the rhyming or rhythm of a poem. 2. (dull language) language or talk that is boring and lacks imagination. 3. (to write dully) to write or talk in a very boring and long-winded way.

How do you use "prose"?

Usually uncountable and used without an article.

prose

n. · v.

US //ˈpɹoʊz// UK //pɹˈəʊz// prose

1 ordinary writing (n.)
C1 Advanced Academic

written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without the rhyming or rhythm of a poem.

language in its ordinary form, lacking the metrical structure or rhythmic constraints of verse.

Example

The author is famous for her clear and simple prose.

Example

While his poetry was often dense and difficult to follow, his prose was remarkably lucid and accessible to the general public.

Usage

Usually uncountable and used without an article.
- writing
- text
- poetry
- verse
2 dull language (n.)
C2 Proficiency Literary Formal

language or talk that is boring and lacks imagination.

discourse that is dull, commonplace, or lacking in creative animation.

Example

The speech was full of the usual political prose and offered no new ideas.

Example

The report was written in such dry, bureaucratic prose that it was nearly impossible to stay focused while reading it.
- banality
- tedium
- inspiration
- wit

Show 1 more senseShow fewer

3 to write dully (v.)
C2 Proficiency Archaic Literary

to write or talk in a very boring and long-winded way.

to write or speak in a tedious, unimaginative, or prosy manner.

Example

He would prose on for hours about his childhood memories.

Example

The professor tended to prose about minor historical details, losing the interest of his students within the first ten minutes of the lecture.
- ramble
- drone

Origin

From Middle English prose, from Old French prose, from Latin prōsa (“straightforward”) from the term prōsa ōrātiō (“a straightforward speech – i.e. without the ornaments of verse”). further etymology and related terms The term prōsa (“straightforward”), a colloquial form of prorsa (“straight forwards”), the feminine form prorsus (“straight forwards”), from Old Latin prōvorsus (“moving straight ahead”), from pro- (“forward”) + vorsus (“turned”), form of vertō (“I turn”). Compare verse.