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

Natural gas is almost entirely composed of methane, a greenhouse gas that's far more potent than carbon dioxide. —Camila Domonoske, NPR, 8 July 2025

Last December, a task force co-led by Rashid and composed of Pritzker administration officials, educators and other lawmakers compiled a report detailing some of the risks presented by AI. —Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 7 July 2025

Cameos are an art form in which an image is carved in relief on a precious or semi-precious stone, often composed of several layers of different colors. —Jessica Scemama, Glamour, 6 July 2025

When the time came to record the new LP, Gary’s equal partnership on the composing side was fully established. —Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 4 July 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