How to pronounce prose
Say it like PROHZ. Prose is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- PROHZ
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Prose pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PROHZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of prose
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: PROHZ.
What does prose mean?
- Language, particularly written language, not intended as poetry.“Though known mostly for her prose, she also produced a small body of excellent poems.”
- Language which evinces little imagination or animation; dull and commonplace discourse.
- A hymn with no regular meter, sometimes introduced into the Mass.
- To write or repeat in a dull, tedious, or prosy way.
Where does prose come from?
The term prōsa (“straightforward”), a colloquial form of prorsa (“straight forwards”), the feminine form prorsus (“straight forwards”), from Old Latin prōvorsus (“moving straight ahead”), from pro- (“forward”) + vorsus (“turned”), form of vertō (“to turn”).
Words that rhyme with prose
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of prose.
Words that sound like prose
- pros
- pro's
- pros'
Questions about saying prose
How do you pronounce prose?
Say PROHZ. The American pronunciation is /proʊz/. In British English it is /prəʊz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in prose?
Prose is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: PROHZ.
Is prose 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 /prəʊz/ (PROHZ).
What words sound the same as prose?
Prose sounds the same as pros, pro's, pros' in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.