compose

com·pose

verb \kəm-ˈpōz\

com·posedcom·pos·ing

Definition of COMPOSE

transitive verb

1

a : to form by putting together : fashion <a committee composed of three representatives — Current Biography> b : to form the substance of : constitute <composed of many ingredients> c : to produce (as columns or pages of type) by composition

2

a : to create by mental or artistic labor : produce <compose a sonnet> b (1) : to formulate and write (a piece of music) (2) : to compose music for

3

: to deal with or act on so as to reduce to a minimum <compose their differences>

4

: to arrange in proper or orderly form

5

: to free from agitation : calm, settle <composed himself>

intransitive verb

: to practice composition

Examples of COMPOSE

1. She composed a letter to her sister.
2. He is in his studio composing.

Origin of COMPOSE

Middle English, from Anglo-French composer, from Latin componere (perfect indicative composui) — more at compound

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to COMPOSE

Synonyms: cast, craft, draft, draw up, formulate, frame, prepare, put together

Antonyms: agitate, discompose, disquiet, disturb, key (up), perturb, upset, vex

Related Words: fabricate, fashion, form, mold, sculpture, shape; couch, express, phrase, state, verbalize, word; author, indite, pen, write; conceive, concoct, devise; build, construct, make; assemble, compound, piece (together); redraft, reformulate, reframe

Near Antonyms: aggravate, heighten, intensify; arouse, excite, foment, incite, rouse, stir (up), work up

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with COMPOSE

appose, bluenose, brownnose, depose, dextrose, disclose, dispose, dog rose, enclose, expose, foreclose, fructose, glucose, hardnose, impose, Montrose, moss rose, musk rose, old rose, oppose, primrose, propose, pug nose, repose, rockrose, suppose, transpose, tuberose, unclose, viscose, wind rose