Prosaic

Adjective

Definition: Lacking imagination or spirit; dull and ordinary.

Synonyms: Ordinary, Mundane, Unimaginative, Uninspired

Antonyms: Creative, Imaginative, Inspired

Examples:
  • His prose is so prosaic that it fails to capture the reader's interest.
  • The students found the lecture to be prosaic and unengaging.
Mnemonics:
  • Prosaic sounds similar to "prose," which is often associated with plain and unadorned writing.
  • Think of a "prozac" pill for creativity, leading to a prosaic state.

Etymology:

Origin:

The word "prosaic" comes from the Latin word "prosa," which means straightforward or ordinary writing in contrast to poetry.

Historical Usage:

The word has been used in English since the mid-17th century to describe anything lacking poetic or imaginative qualities.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Prosaic existence"

Explanation:

Refers to a dull, uninspiring, and ordinary way of living.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Prosaic is often confused with "prolix" or "verbose," but they have different meanings.

Explanation:

While "prosaic" means lacking imagination or spirit, "prolix" or "verbose" refers to being excessively wordy or long-winded in speech or writing.

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