compose

verb

com·​pose kəm-ˈpōz 

composed; composing

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 (columns, pages of type, etc.) 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)

composed a symphony

(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

The two men had laid him on the bed, and composed his limbs.

—Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

5

: to free from agitation : calm, settle

composed himself

Life moves on, … and one must compose oneself to meet it …

—Rose Macaulay

intransitive verb

: to practice composition (as of literary, musical, or typographical work)

At the age of 10, he was composing at the piano.

Synonyms

• prepare
• write
• draft

Examples of compose in a Sentence

She composed a letter to her sister.

He is in his studio composing.

Recent Examples on the Web

The images may be AI, but the voices are real actors, and the music is composed especially for each episode. —Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 7 Sep. 2025

The entire cast — which is composed mostly of comedians — is acting in air quotes here, delivering the most awards-hungry version of every line reading. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025

As explained in the behind-the-scenes dive, the BAFTA Award-winning composer imagined the sound in images, sampled MRI sounds, and composed the actual score for a trap beat. —Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 5 Sep. 2025

This decision has proved pivotal in providing Sudanese national team stars the opportunity to continue to play, with over 70% of the most recent squad being composed of players from the two clubs. —Rory Fleming, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for compose

• aloes
• arose
• bedclothes
• bestows
• boroughs
• buboes
• cargoes
• cocos
• crossbows
• demos
• depose
• disclose

Kids Definition

compose

verb

com·​pose kəm-ˈpōz 

composed; composing

1

a

: to form by putting together : fashion

b

: to form the substance of : constitute

a stew composed of many ingredients

c

: to arrange type in order for printing : set

2

: to create by mental or artistic labor

compose a song

3

: to arrange in proper form

4

: to make calm

composed himself

compose your feelings