How to pronounce compose
Say it like kum-POHZ. Compose has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (POHZ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce compose. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kum
- POHZ
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Compose pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- POHZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of compose
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: kum-POHZ.
What does compose mean?
- To make something by merging parts.“The editor composed a historical journal from many individual letters.”
- To make up the whole; to constitute.“A church is composed of its members.”
- To construct by mental labor; to think up; particularly, to produce or create a literary or musical work.“The orator composed his speech over the week prior.”
Where does compose come from?
From Middle English composen, from Old French composer (“to compose, compound, adjust, settle”), from com- + poser, as an adaptation of Latin componere (“to put together, compose”), from com- (“together”) + ponere (“to put, place”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with compose
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of compose.
Questions about saying compose
How do you pronounce compose?
Say kum-POHZ. The American pronunciation is /kəmˈpoʊz/. In British English it is /kəmˈpəʊz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in compose?
Compose has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (POHZ). Broken into parts: kum · POHZ.
Is compose pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /kəmˈpəʊz/ (kum-POHZ).