Prose
noun /prəʊz/ — Written language that breathes — not verse, but with rhythm.
Definition
Written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure; but in the best hands, prose carries its own music, rhythm, and intention.
Beyond the definition
The distinction between prose and poetry isn't just technical — it's a question of attention. The best prose writers give language the care usually reserved for poetry. A single sentence, placed exactly right, can change everything.
Origin & history
From Latin prosa oratio — straightforward speech (prorsus 'direct, straightforward'). Originally opposed to verse — the plain road rather than the patterned one.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Her prose was so precise it felt like it had been carved rather than written.
Good prose makes the difficult look easy — which is why people underestimate it.
He read the opening paragraph three times, not for meaning but for the prose itself.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Prose” when the meaning fits your context: Written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure; but in the best hands, prose carries its own music, rhythm, and intention.
Synonyms
writing, language, text, narrative, composition
Antonyms
poetry, verse, meter
Related words
Prose vs verse
Prose is ordinary language in its natural flow, organized by grammatical structure. Verse is writing arranged with metrical rhythm and line breaks, typically associated with poetry.
Word in the Wild
Illustrative story: an imagined scene, not a documented event or interview.
He had tried poetry for years. Couldn't find the form.
Then he started writing in long paragraphs — no line breaks, no stanzas — and something unlocked. The rhythm was still there. The compression was still there. But the movement was looser, the thinking could breathe.
The rhythm hadn't left him. He'd found a room with higher ceilings — and the thing that had always needed saying finally had space to move.
Questions about this word
What does "Prose" mean?
Prose is noun meaning: Written language that breathes — not verse, but with rhythm.. Written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure; but in the best hands, prose carries its own music, rhythm, and intention.
Which words express “words or writing that moves you”?
Prose — Written language that breathes — not verse, but with rhythm.
Where does the word "Prose" come from?
From Latin prosa oratio — straightforward speech (prorsus 'direct, straightforward'). Originally opposed to verse — the plain road rather than the patterned one.