Composition Meaning
/ˌkɒmpəˈzɪʃən/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe act of putting together; assembly.
nounA mixture or compound; the result of composing.
Sentence Examples
You'll have this composition written by noon tomorrow, won't you?
Compare your composition with the example.
The chemical composition of the soil
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her latest ____ won a prize for its innovative use of harmony and rhythm.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The complex chemical ____ of the mysterious rock suggests it originally came from outer space.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English composicioun, borrowed from Old French composicion, from Latin compositiō, compositiōnem.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Ste. What do'st thou know me for?
Kent. A Knave, a Rascall, [...] one that would'st be a Baud in way of good service, and art nothing but the composition of a Kave, Begger, Coward, Pandar, and the Sonne and Heire of a Mungrill Bitch, one whom I will beate in to clamours whining, if thou deny'st the least sillable of thy addition."
— c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii], page 291, column 2:
"The firſt day of November was dedicated to the angel preſiding over fruits, ſeeds, &c. and was therefore named la mas ubhal, that is, the day of the apple fruit, and being pronounced lamasool, the English have corrupted the name to lambswool, a name they give to a compoſition made on this eve of roaſted apples, ſugar, and ale."
— 1786, “Of Allhallow Eve, Named by the Irish Oidhche Shamhna”, in Charles Vallancey, editor, Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis, volume III, Dublin: Luke White, pages 444-445:
"And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the Lord."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Exodus 30:37:
"John of Gaunt. O how that name befits my composition!
Old Gaunt indeed, and gaunt in being old:
Within me grief hath kept a tedious fast;
And who abstains from meat that is not gaunt?"
— 1595 December 9 (first known performance), William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Richard the Second”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene 1]:
"It seemed that the milk of human kindness had not been left out of his composition."
— 1932, Frank Richards, The Magnet - Bunter's Night Out:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her latest ____ won a prize for its innovative use of harmony and rhythm.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The complex chemical ____ of the mysterious rock suggests it originally came from outer space.