Prose Definition

prōz

prosed, proses, prosing

noun

The ordinary form of written or spoken language, without rhyme or meter; speech or writing, sometimes, specif., nonfictional writing, that is not poetry.

Webster's New World

Dull, commonplace talk, expression, quality, etc.

Webster's New World

A hymn of irregular meter sung before the Gospel.

American Heritage

Language, particularly written language, not intended as poetry.

Though known mostly for her prose, she also produced a small body of excellent poems.

Wiktionary

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
poetry
poem

verb

To write prose.

American Heritage

To speak, write, or express (one's thoughts, etc.) in prose or in a prosaic way.

Webster's New World

To speak or write in a dull, tiresome style.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
platitudinize

adjective

Of or in prose.

Webster's New World

Dull; unimaginative; commonplace; prosaic.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
unversified
nonpoetic
nonmetrical

Other Word Forms of Prose

Noun

Singular:

prose

Plural:

proses

Origin of Prose

Used in English since 1330, from Old French prose, the Latin word prōsa (“straightforward") from the term prōsa ōrātio (“a straightforward speech- i.e. without the ornaments of verse"). The term prōsa (“straightforward") is a colloquial form of prorsa (“straight forwards") which is the feminine form of prorsus (“straight forwards"), from Old Latin prōvorsus (“moving straight ahead"), from pro- (“forward") + turned, form of vertō (“I turn"). Compare verse.

From Wiktionary
Middle English from Old French from Latin prōsa (ōrātiō) straightforward (discourse) feminine of prōsus alteration of prōrsus from prōversus past participle of prōvertere to turn forward prō- forward pro–¹ vertere to turn wer-² in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition