First Known Use: circa 1656
Dictionary
prosaic
adjective pro·sa·ic \prō-ˈzā-ik\
: dull or ordinary
Full Definition of PROSAIC
1
a : characteristic of prose as distinguished from poetry : factual b : dull, unimaginative <prosaic advice>
2
— pro·sa·i·cal·ly \-ˈzā-ə-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
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Examples of PROSAIC
- For the most part, the descriptions of the books listed in the “Catalog,” though informative, are relentlessly prosaic, even hackneyed. —Mordecai Richler, New York Times Book Review, 8 Oct. 1989
- In addition to the prosaic essentials of life—wheat, rice, and salt—the Portuguese found exotic stores of pepper, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and other spices. —Daniel J. Boorstin, The Discoverers, 1983
- There is, of course, an ordinary medicine, an everyday medicine, humdrum, prosaic, a medicine for stubbed toes, quinsies, bunions, and boils … —Oliver Sacks, Awakenings, 1973
- … where did he get his money? He had to eat and drink, buy apparatus and chemicals, even pay the poor rate. Where did he get the common coin to meet such unavoidable if prosaic obligations? —Flann O'Brien, The Dalkey Archive, 1964
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Origin of PROSAIC
Late Latin prosaicus, from Latin prosa prose
Related to PROSAIC
- Synonyms
- average, common, commonplace, cut-and-dried (also cut-and-dry), everyday, garden-variety, normal, ordinary, routine, run-of-the-mill, standard, standard-issue, unexceptional, unremarkable, usual, workaday
- Antonyms
- abnormal, exceptional, extraordinary, odd, out-of-the-way, strange, unusual
Other Literature Terms
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