First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
compose
verb com·pose \kəm-ˈpōz\
: to come together to form or make (something)
: to create and write (a piece of music or writing)
: to practice the art of writing music
com·posedcom·pos·ing
Full 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
intransitive verb
: to practice composition
See compose defined for English-language learners
See compose defined for kids
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Origin of COMPOSE
Middle English, from Anglo-French composer, from Latin componere (perfect indicative composui) — more at compound
Related to COMPOSE
Rhymes with COMPOSE
COMPOSE Defined for Kids
compose
verb com·pose \kəm-ˈpōz\
com·posedcom·pos·ing
Definition of COMPOSE for Kids
1
: to form by putting together <compose a team>
2
: to be the parts or materials of <This cloth is composed of silk and wool.>
3
: to create and write <compose a song> <compose a letter>
4
: to make calm : get under control <Although the news is shocking, I'll try to compose myself.>
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