prosaicize
|pro-sa-ic-ize|
/prəˈzeɪɪsaɪz/
make dull or commonplace
Etymology
'prosaicize' is formed in modern English from the adjective 'prosaic' + the verb-forming suffix '-ize' (from Greek '-izein' via Latin/French), where 'prosaic' itself relates to 'prose'.
'prosaic' originates from Latin 'prosaicus' (from 'prosa' meaning 'prose'), passed into French as 'prosaïque' and then into English as 'prosaic'; the verb 'prosaicize' was later created in English by adding the productive suffix '-ize' to mean 'make prosaic'.
Initially associated with 'prose' or 'in prose style' (i.e., 'prosaic' = 'of prose'); over time, the sense shifted toward 'ordinary' or 'dull,' and 'prosaicize' now means 'to make ordinary or dull.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to make prosaic; to render ordinary, dull, or commonplace (often by removing poetic, imaginative, or exceptional qualities).
Critics warned that the director's excessive exposition would prosaicize the film's poetic moments.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/11 21:48