Compose Meaning
/kəmˈpəʊz/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo make something by merging parts.
verbTo make up the whole; to constitute.
Sentence Examples
It's easy for that man to compose a good poem.
A state is made up of individuals who compose it.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The musician took several months to ____ a beautiful symphony for the orchestra.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The talented musician sat down at the grand piano to ____ a beautiful new symphony.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English composen, from Old French composer (“to compose, compound, adjust, settle”), from com- + poser, as an adaptation of Latin componere (“to put together, compose”), from com- (“together”) + ponere (“to put, place”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"A few useful things […] compose their intellectual possessions."
— 1741, I[saac] Watts, The Improvement of the Mind: Or, A Supplement to the Art of Logick: […], London: […] James Brackstone, […], →OCLC:
"Let me […] compose / Something in Verse as true as Prose."
— 1714, Alexander Pope, Imitation of Horace, Book II. Sat. 6:
"the genius that composed such works as the "Standard" and "Last Supper""
— 1838, Benjamin Haydon, Painting, and the fine arts:
"Compose thy mind; / Nor frauds are here contrived, nor force designed."
— 1697, Virgil, “(please specify the book number)”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
"By trying his best to compose matters with the mullahs, he had sincerely shown that he did not seek a violent collision […]"
— 2010, Christopher Hitchens, Hitch-22, Atlantic, published 2011, page 280:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The musician took several months to ____ a beautiful symphony for the orchestra.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The talented musician sat down at the grand piano to ____ a beautiful new symphony.