prosaic

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "prosaic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is dull or uninteresting due to its plainness or lack of imagination. For example: "The prose of the novel was so prosaic that I couldn't bring myself to finish it".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The prosaic business of lending to business and serving customers delivered lower profits and was done by the banks' drones.

The Guardian - Opinion

I left the tourists to wonder, but knew the truth to be more prosaic.

The Guardian

The interior was equally prosaic: the set consisted of a six-metre stretch of starship corridor.

The Guardian - Film

Of course, the problem with this prosaic explanation is that it is much less exciting.

The Guardian - Tech

But then, these people aren't powerful and their crimes are merely prosaic.

The Guardian - Opinion

A more prosaic reason might be that Yellen, as vice-chair, does not have the job of communicating with the White House; that's her boss's role.

The Guardian - Opinion

To West Germany must go the credit for transforming a predictable and at times prosaic game into a memorable match.

The Guardian - Sport

Villa have now scored 17 goals in 10 league games since he replaced Paul Lambert and it is hard to reconcile the vibrant, dynamic, attacking football the players are producing now with the toothless, prosaic style of play under his predecessor.

The Guardian - Sport

In fact, the everyday reality of his work usually involves more prosaic things: a walk in the park, perhaps, to chat about getting a job or going to university.

The Guardian

The reality now is more prosaic: the hounds have picked up a scent laid by a hunt supporter carrying a rag impregnated with fox urine.

The Guardian

(Bahjat Imam, a Syrian from Aleppo) As for Russom, he left for more prosaic, though equally pressing, reasons: to escape the poverty and repression that has turned Eritrea into one of Africa's most rapidly emptying countries.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prosaic" when you want to convey that something lacks poetic or imaginative qualities, and is ordinary or commonplace. It's effective for contrasting everyday realities with more romanticized versions.

Common error

Avoid mistaking "prosaic", which describes something commonplace, with "prostate", a gland in the male reproductive system. Double-check your spelling to prevent embarrassing errors.

Linguistic Context

The word "prosaic" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something as commonplace, lacking in imagination, or dull. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adheres to standard grammatical rules and is widely accepted in both formal and informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prosaic" is a versatile adjective used to describe something as ordinary, lacking in imagination, or dull. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Appearing most frequently in News & Media, it conveys a sense of ordinariness and helps to contrast a subject with more imaginative or idealized concepts. To avoid common errors, ensure you're not confusing it with similar-sounding words like "prostate". Alternatives include "mundane", "banal", and "dull", each offering slightly different nuances. When aiming to describe something as commonplace and uninspired, "prosaic" remains a reliable and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mundane

Emphasizes the ordinariness and lack of excitement in everyday life.

banal

Highlights the triteness and lack of originality in something.

dull

Focuses on the lack of interest or excitement.

uninspired

Stresses the absence of creative spark or motivation.

commonplace

Indicates something is ordinary and unremarkable.

run-of-the-mill

Suggests something is average and not special in any way.

unremarkable

Highlights the lack of anything noteworthy or interesting.

pedestrian

Implies a lack of sophistication or imagination.

earthly

Highlights the practical nature of something.

matter-of-fact

Highlights the straightforward nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "prosaic" in a sentence?

"Prosaic" is used to describe something lacking in imagination or excitement, like: "His account of the trip was so "prosaic" that I fell asleep."

What words are similar to "prosaic"?

Alternatives to "prosaic" include "mundane", "banal", and "dull". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone leads a "prosaic life"?

Yes, saying someone leads a "prosaic life" is correct. It means their life is ordinary and lacks excitement or adventure.

What's the difference between "prosaic" and "poetic"?

"Prosaic" describes something ordinary and unimaginative, while "poetic" describes something beautiful, imaginative, and expressive, often like poetry. They are antonyms.