compose

verb

com·​pose kəm-ˈpōz 

composed; composing

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 (columns, pages of type, etc.) 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)

composed a symphony

(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

The two men had laid him on the bed, and composed his limbs.

—Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

5

: to free from agitation : calm, settle

composed himself

Life moves on, … and one must compose oneself to meet it …

—Rose Macaulay

intransitive verb

: to practice composition (as of literary, musical, or typographical work)

At the age of 10, he was composing at the piano.

Synonyms

• cast
• craft
• draft
• draw up
• formulate
• frame
• prepare

Examples of compose in a Sentence

She composed a letter to her sister.

He is in his studio composing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Diversity Of Skills And Expertise High-performing executive teams are composed of individuals with complementary skills and experiences. —Levi King, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025

Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote and composed the music for the original film, was replaced by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear in the sequel. —Andrés Buenahora, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025

Published on February 25, 2025 In This Review India’s Near East: A New History By Avinash Paliwal Save Some of India’s most consequential nation-building challenges have come in the eight diverse states that compose the northeastern part of the country. —Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025

Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 25 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French composer, from Latin componere (perfect indicative composui) — more at compound

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for compose

• aloes
• arose
• bedclothes
• bestows
• boroughs
• buboes
• cargoes
• cocos
• crossbows
• demos
• depose
• disclose

Kids Definition

compose

verb

com·​pose kəm-ˈpōz 

composed; composing

1

a

: to form by putting together : fashion

b

: to form the substance of : constitute

a stew composed of many ingredients

c

: to arrange type in order for printing : set

2

: to create by mental or artistic labor

compose a song

3

: to arrange in proper form

4

: to make calm

composed himself

compose your feelings