View synonyms for prone

prone

[ prohn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

having a natural inclination or tendency to something; disposed; liable:
to be prone to anger.
Synonyms: subject, apt
having the front or ventral part downward; lying face downward.
lying flat; prostrate.
Synonyms: recumbent
having a downward direction or slope.
having the palm downward, as the hand.

prone

[ prohn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a sermon or a brief hortatory introduction to a sermon, usually delivered at a service at which the Eucharist is celebrated.

prone

/ prəʊn /

adjective

lying flat or face downwards; prostrate
sloping or tending downwards
having an inclination to do something

-prone

combining form

liable or disposed to suffer
accident-prone

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Derived Forms

ˈpronely, adverb
ˈproneness, noun

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Other Word Forms

pronely adverb
proneness noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of prone¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin prōnus “turned or leaning forward, inclined downward, disposed,” adverb based on prō pro ¹( def )

Origin of prone²

First recorded in 1660–70; from French prône “grill, grating (separating chancel from nave),” so called because notices and addresses were delivered there, from Old French prodne, prorne, prosne, by way of a Medieval Latin or Late Latin intermediary such as protinum (unrecorded) from Latin prothyrum “foyer, porch, vestibule,” from Greek próthyron, from pró pro- ²( def ) + thýra “door” ( door ( def ) )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of prone¹

C14: from Latin prōnus bent forward, from pro- ¹

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Parts of the capital are prone to soil erosion and in recent years the Congolese president has warned that the climate crisis is making flooding worse.

From BBC

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said hills are particularly prone to wildfires because the fire can spread far quicker uphill than on flatter ground.

From BBC

Their poor eyesight and slow swimming speed make river dolphins especially prone to collisions with boats and other obstacles.

From BBC

But one of the most memorable conversations I had at Westminster this week was with a vastly experienced senior figure, thoughtful and reflective and also not prone to exaggeration.

From BBC

Occasionally prone to a clumsy comment in the media, Brook last year was criticised for saying "who cares?" when asked about some of England's dismissals in an ODI defeat by Australia.

From BBC

Related Words

proˈnator pronephros

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