Definition of prone
1 : having a tendency or inclination : being likely prone to forget names accident-prone
2a : having the front or ventral surface downwardb : lying flat or prostrate
prone
adverbpronely
adverbPeople Are Reading
Examples of prone in a Sentence
Hull then corralled the rebound and shoveled the puck past the left arm and leg of the prone Hasek with his forehand, touching off a wild on-ice celebration. —Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated, 28 June 1999
I too have been prone on my couch this week, a victim of the common cold. —Flannery O'Connor, letter, 20 Mar. 1961
My almond tree lies prone across the court, blown down by a gale. —Conrad Aiken, letter, 3 Oct. 1930
he was prone to emotional outbursts under stress
quickly subdue the suspect and get him into a prone position
Recent Examples of prone from the Web
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A historically vulnerable part of the shore whose beaches are prone to worse-than-normal erosion, the community was devastated by the 2012 storm.
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A historically vulnerable part of the shore whose beaches are prone to worse-than-normal erosion, the community was devastated by the 2012 storm.
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Hurricane risk reduction projects, mostly levees and floodwalls, will get $19 billion, while $6 billion will go to elevating homes, relocating some homes out of flood-prone areas, or floodproofing businesses.
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A Lawsuit And Honor Bell was found just inside the door to the living room to the right, lying prone on his right side with his head facing the window from which Martinez fell.
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The Illinois House isn’t voting on a budget on Wednesday, which means the gridlock-prone government won’t pass a spending plan by midnight.
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Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo), at the base of the mountain, is prone to flooding in the rainy season, October to April.
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That song captures a lot of what the Allman Brothers sound would become: rooted in blues, prone to psychedelic interludes, a bit country, and entirely Southern.
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Cats are slinky and athletic, and most people don’t think of them as prone to musculoskeletal problems.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prone'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of prone
Middle English, from Latin pronus bent forward, tending; akin to Latin pro forward — more at for
First Known Use: 14th century
Synonym Discussion of prone
synonyms see in addition liable
PRONE Defined for English Language Learners
prone
playDefinition of prone for English Language Learners
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: likely to do, have, or suffer from something
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: lying with the front of your body facing downward
PRONE Defined for Kids
prone
playDefinition of prone for Students
1 : likely to be or act a certain way Her dog is prone to laziness.
2 : lying with the front of the body facing downward
Medical Dictionary
prone
playMedical Definition of prone
: having the front or ventral surface downward; especially : lying facedown
prone
adverbLearn More about prone
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See words that rhyme with prone Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for prone Spanish Central: Translation of prone Nglish: Translation of prone for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of prone for Arabic speakers
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