What does prose mean?
Prose is language presented without verse, meter, or regular poetic line breaks. It includes ordinary conversation, journalism, letters, essays, fiction, and other forms of writing; in literary discussion, it may also identify a particular style, such as vivid, formal, sparse, or ornate prose. The word is not simply a synonym for bad or dull writing: it describes a mode of expression rather than a level of quality. Prose can range from plain and functional to highly rhetorical and literary, and good prose often depends on rhythm, sentence structure, word choice, and attention to tone. In the phrase “prose and verse,” it refers to language arranged as continuous writing rather than poetry. The term is also sometimes used more broadly to mean ordinary language as opposed to an elevated or artistic mode, especially in phrases such as “in plain prose.”
nounWritten or spoken language that is not arranged in verse, especially language used for literary or extended expression. In a literary context, the term can also refer to a particular style or manner of writing.
- Written or spoken language that is not arranged in verse.
- A particular literary style or manner of writing.
- Words or language considered collectively, especially in an extended or formal work.
"The novel combines vivid prose with an intricate historical narrative."
"The historian's careful prose made the complex subject accessible."
"The speaker moved from conversational prose to a formal statement."
The plural is grammatical but uncommon; it generally means separate works or examples characterized by continuous, non-verse writing.
"The collection contains several proses on memory and place."
The word that means “not verse” comes from Latin prosa, meaning “straightforward” or “plain,” a reminder that ordinary language can still be carefully crafted.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does prose come from?
The English word comes through Old French from Latin prosa, a feminine form of prosaus, meaning “straightforward” or “plain.” Latin prosa originally referred to straightforward or ordinary speech, in contrast to verse, and the term was later extended to written language not composed in verse. The related English adjective prosaic developed from the same Latin family, while prosy was formed directly from prose. The word's history therefore reflects an ancient distinction between plain or continuous language and arranged, metrical expression.
Related word forms
How prose is actually used
In literary criticism, the term is often contrasted with verse, poetry, or dramatic dialogue. It can suggest extended, bookish, or carefully composed writing, though it is also used neutrally for language that is not metrical.