prosaic
/pɹəʊˈzeɪ.ɪk/
Group 5Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Having the style or diction of prose; lacking poetic beauty; commonplace, unromantic GRE
Example in Context
The architect's prosaic design for the memorial was criticized for failing to capture the emotional gravity of the events it commemorated.
Synonyms
dullordinarymundane
Etymology
Straightforward language that lacks the flair of poetry — utterly mundane.
- prosa (Latin) — straightforward
Memory Aid
🤢Sounds like “pro-sick”
Listening to a PROfessor’s DEADLY dull lecture makes you feel SICK — it's just so PROSAIC!
Visual Association
📄A stack of plain, unmarked papers sitting lifelessly on a desk, begging for excitement.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “prosaic” mean on the GRE?
prosaic (adjective) means “Having the style or diction of prose; lacking poetic beauty; commonplace, unromantic”. The architect's prosaic design for the memorial was criticized for failing to capture the emotional gravity of the events it commemorated.
How to remember “prosaic” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “prosaic” sounds like “pro-sick”. Listening to a PROfessor’s DEADLY dull lecture makes you feel SICK — it's just so PROSAIC!
What are synonyms for “prosaic”?
Common synonyms: dull, ordinary, mundane.