Word
prostrate
Phoneticspros·trate, stress on the first syllable
/ˈpɹɑstɹeɪt/
Definition
adj. lying flat on the ground with your face pointing down. People often do this to show deep respect or because they are too tired or upset to move.
adj. lying stretched out on the ground with one's face downwards. Often used to describe a physical position of submission, adoration, or complete exhaustion.
Examples
“He lay prostrate on the floor after the long race.”
“The exhausted hikers were found prostrate on the trail, unable to take another step toward the summit.”
“In many ancient cultures, subjects were required to remain prostrate before the throne until the monarch granted them permission to rise and speak.”
Examples
simple
“He lay prostrate on the floor after the long race.”
contextual
“The exhausted hikers were found prostrate on the trail, unable to take another step toward the summit.”
complex
“In many ancient cultures, subjects were required to remain prostrate before the throne until the monarch granted them permission to rise and speak.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “prostrate” in context.
Verb
01. fall prostrate
“The subjects were required to fall prostrate as the emperor entered the hall.”
verb + adj
02. find prostrate
“Rescue workers found the survivor prostrate beneath the rubble.”
verb + adj
03. leave prostrate
“The sudden bout of grief left her prostrate and unable to speak.”
verb + adj
04. lie prostrate
“The monks lie prostrate before the altar during the ceremony.”
verb + adj
Adjective
05. physically prostrate
“The marathon runner lay physically prostrate at the finish line.”
adv + adj
06. utterly prostrate
“He was found utterly prostrate on the floor, overwhelmed by the news.”
adv + adj
Noun
07. prostrate with exhaustion
“After the climb, they were prostrate with exhaustion in their tents.”
adj + prep + noun
08. prostrate with grief
“The widow remained prostrate with grief for several days after the funeral.”
adj + prep + noun
09. be prostrate with shock
“The witnesses were prostrate with shock following the explosion.”
10. lie prostrate on the ground
“The pilgrims lie prostrate on the ground in a display of absolute devotion.”
Usage
Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'lie', 'fall', or 'remain'.
Pitfall
He was prostate on the ground
He was prostrate on the ground
Learners often confuse 'prostrate' (lying down) with 'prostate' (a gland in the male body).
Real-World Examples
“It’s a weird, yellowed little thing – based on a Tintoretto – of a man lying prostrate on the ground.” “Photograph: Adam Vaughan/EPA But then, this has always been a project defined by defiance, the raised fist, the punkish V-sign, even if this involves prostrating yourself for the benefit of an inherited billionaire monarchy.” “As we entered the site, I could see several hundred monoliths of all sizes packed on a small hillock, some lying prostrate, others rising tall and vying for attention alongside huge trees.” “On 10 February, Qilu Evening Post, a regional paper in eastern Shandong Province, shared pictures of 46-year-old Zhang Jinli, who works for a pharmaceutical company in Beijing, virtually prostrate on the station floor at his parents' feet.” Etymology
From Middle English prostrat(e) (“prostrate”, also used as the past participle of prostraten), borrowed from Latin prōstrātus, perfect passive participle of prōsternō (“to prostrate”). Participial usage up until Early Modern English.
From Middle English prostraten (“(reflexive) to prostrate; (with doun) to fall down in a state of humility or submission”), from prostrat(e) (“prostrate, prostrated”, also used as the past participle of prostraten) + -en (verb-forming suffix), from Latin prōstrātus, see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and Etymology 1 for more.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- 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.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL 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: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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