prose
gb/pɹˈoʊz/ us/pɹˈoʊz/
B1
English
~ 4500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Ordinary written or spoken language
Writing or speech that is like normal talking and not poetry.
Usage pattern:
[someone] writes [something] in prose
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'prose' with 'poetry', thinking both mean any kind of writing. Prose refers to ordinary language without poetic structure.
Synonyms
text (A general term for written words; less specific about style compared to 'prose'.)
|
narrative (Refers to a story or account, often written in prose, but focuses more on content than form.)
Antonyms
poetry (Structured writing with rhythm and often rhyme; opposite of prose in literary form.)
Collocations
write in prose
|prose style
|prose writing
|prose fiction
Themes
literature
|writing
|communication
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The novel is written entirely in prose.
- She prefers reading prose to poetry.
- His prose is clear and elegant.
- The essay demonstrates her skill in concise prose.
Learner examples
- I read a short story in prose.
- This book is written in prose.
- He writes prose for a magazine.
- Prose is different from poetry.
Noun
B2
property
2
A style of ordinary language writing
The way someone writes or speaks in normal language.
Usage pattern:
[someone's] prose is [adjective]
Synonyms
style (A general term for the manner of expression; 'prose' here specifies non-poetic style.)
Collocations
flowery prose
|plain prose
|descriptive prose
Themes
literature
|writing
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Examples
- Her prose is vivid and engaging.
- The speech was delivered in simple prose.
- Critics praised the author's lyrical prose.
Learner examples
- His prose is easy to read.
- I like the writer's prose.
- The teacher said my prose is clear.
Noun
informal
B2
entity
3
Written content excluding images or extras
The words in a book or article, not the pictures or design.
Usage pattern:
[someone] reads the prose of [something]
Synonyms
copy (In publishing, refers to text content; often used for advertising or media.)
Collocations
book's prose
|magazine's prose
Themes
publishing
|media
|arts_entertainment
|communication
|education
Examples
- The magazine's prose was well-researched and informative.
- He focused on the prose, ignoring the photographs.
- The editor improved the prose before publication.
Learner examples
- I read the prose in the magazine.
- The prose in this book is long.
- She likes the prose in that article.
Grammar
Dictionary form
prose
IPA
GB/pɹˈoʊz/
US/pɹˈoʊz/
Syllables & stress
prose (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (prose)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: prose
- Plural: prose, proses
Word family
Expressions
in prose
1/ˈɪn pɹˈoʊz/
fixed phrase
Expressed in ordinary language form
Said or written in normal language, not poetry.
Examples
- She retold the ancient myth in prose.
- The story was adapted in prose for young readers.
purple prose
1/pˈɚpəl pɹˈoʊz/
idiom
literary
Overly ornate writing style
Writing that uses too many fancy words or details, making it hard to read.
Examples
- The book was full of purple prose that slowed down the story.
- Critics accused the author of using too much purple prose in his essays.
purple prose
2/pˈɚpəl pɹˈoʊz/
idiom
Overly elaborate writing style
Writing that uses too many fancy or complicated words.
Examples
- The critic dismissed the novel as full of purple prose.
- His speech was criticized for its purple prose.