Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense composes, present participle composing, past tense, past participle composed
1. verb
The things that something is composedof are its parts or members. The separate things that compose something are the parts or members that form it.
The force would be composed of troops from NATO countries. [beVERB-ed + of]
Protein molecules compose all the complex working parts of living cells. [VERB noun]
They agreed to form a council composed of leaders of the rival factions. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: put together, make up, constitute, comprise More Synonyms of compose
2. verb
When someone composes a piece of music, they write it.
Vivaldi composed a large number of very fine concertos. [VERB noun]
Cale also uses electronic keyboards to compose. [VERB]
3. verb
If you compose something such as a letter, poem, or speech, you write it, often using a lot of concentration or skill.
[formal]
He started at once to compose a reply to Anna. [VERB noun]
The document composed in Philadelphia transformed the confederation of sovereignstates into a national government. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: create, write, produce, imagine More Synonyms of compose
4. verb
If you compose a picture or image, you arrange it in an attractive and artistic way.
[technical]
Anthony dismounted with his camera and walked away from the walls to compose a shot. [VERB noun]
The drawing is beautifully composed. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: arrange, make up, construct, put together More Synonyms of compose
5. verb
If you composeyourself or if you compose your features, you succeed in becoming calm after you have been angry, excited, or upset.
She quickly composed herself as the car started off. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]
Then he composed his features, took Godwin's hand awkwardly and began to usher himfrom the office. [VERB noun]
compose in British English
(kəmˈpəʊz)
verb(mainly tr)
1.
to put together or make up by combining; put in proper order
2.
to be the component elements of
3.
to produce or create (a musical or literary work)
4. (intransitive)
to write music
5.
to calm (someone, esp oneself); make quiet
6.
to adjust or settle (a quarrel, etc)
7.
to order the elements of (a painting, sculpture, etc); design
8. printing
to set up (type)
Word origin
C15: from Old French composer, from Latin compōnere to put in place; see component
compose in American English
(kəmˈpoʊz)
verb transitiveWord forms: comˈposed or comˈposing
1.
to form in combination; make up; constitute
mortar is composed of lime, sand, and water
2.
to put together; put in proper order or form
3.
to create (a musical or literary work)
4.
to adjust or settle; reconcile
to compose differences
5.
to put (oneself, one's mind, etc.) in a state of tranquillity or repose; calm; allay
6. Printing
a.
to set (type)
b.
to produce (printed matter) as by computer, photocomposition, etc.
verb intransitive
7.
to create musical or literary works
8. Printing
to set type
Word origin
ME composen < OFr composer < com-, with + poser, to place; meaning infl. by L componere: see composite
Examples of 'compose' in a sentence
compose
AN album of music composed for cats is due for release next month.
The Sun (2016)
Her new album, for which she has composed the music, will be released in the spring.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They were also composed enough not to panic.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He also composed music for the theatre and film.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Then offer to compose a letter to the council for him to sign.
The Sun (2012)
The clunky village line is the only wrong note in a film composed of beautifully placed ones.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He was also composing music that was no less original.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
For that she is also composing the background music.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He is now also composing his own music.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Do you need to meet the cast of the film before composing music?
The Sun (2014)
They were also the more composed when surging forward and in the first half were slick on the counterattack in the second.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
During this period he also composed three operas and three ballets as well as a quantity of works for the concert hall.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Within a year, he could compose a letter.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Though parts of the film are difficult to watch, it is beautifully composed and filmed.
Christianity Today (2000)
They looked beautifully smart, composed and very nervous.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
She's also composed music for my poetry and we do a lot of shows together.
The Sun (2012)
She has written a tender, honest and beautifully composed prologue to the book.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He was told that he would have to compose accompanying orchestral music while the film was being made and without seeing the script.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
After all, no one had yet composed any music for it.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
I imagine his resignation letter is being composed as we tweet!
The Sun (2014)
It would have taken one person less than half a day's work to compose a letter andmail it out.
The Sun (2015)
It's a beautifully composed work.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
She helped me to compose a letter and I got an interview.
The Sun (2013)
I began to compose letters to Tony.
Joanna Blythman SHOPPED: The Shocking Power of British Supermarkets (2004)
But he was classically trained and composed a number of orchestral works, including an acclaimed concerto which took him into the classical music charts.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
compose
British English: compose VERB
to be composed of sth The things that something is composed of are its parts or members. The separate things that compose something are the parts or members that form it.
The force would be composed of troops from NATO countries.
American English: compose
Brazilian Portuguese: compor
Chinese: 组成
European Spanish: componer
French: composer
German: bilden
Italian: comporre
Japanese: 構成する
Korean: 구성하다
European Portuguese: compor
Latin American Spanish: componer
Chinese translation of 'compose'
compose
(kəmˈpəuz)
vt
to be composed of由 ... 组(組)成 (yóu ... zǔchéng)
(= write)
[music]创(創)作 (chuàngzuò)
(frm)[poem, letter]写(寫) (xiě)
to compose o.s.使自己镇(鎮)定下来(來) (shǐ zìjǐ zhèndìng xiàlái)
1 (verb)
Definition
to be the component elements of
They agreed to form a council composed of leaders of the rival factions.
Synonyms
put together
make up
constitute
The country's ethnic minorities constitute 7 per cent of its total population.
comprise
Women comprise the majority of this hospital's medical staff.
make
They now make cars at two plants in Europe.
build
Developers are now proposing to build a hotel on the site.
form
Women formed the majority of the group's membership.
fashion
The desk was fashioned out of oak.
construct
The boxes should be constructed from rough-sawn timber.
compound
Opposites
destroy
,
dismantle
,
demolish
,
obliterate
,
bulldoze
,
raze
2 (verb)
Definition
to create (a musical or literary work)
He started at once to compose a reply to her letter.
Synonyms
create
He's creating a whole new language of painting.
write
She wrote articles for magazines in Paris.
produce
So far he has produced only one composition he deems suitable for performance.
imagine
He could not imagine a more peaceful scene.
frame
A convention was set up to frame a constitution.
invent
He invented the first electric clock.
devise
We devised a scheme to help him.
contrive
The oil companies were accused of contriving a shortage of gasoline to justify price increases.
indite
3 (verb)
Definition
to put together or make up
The drawing is beautifully composed.
Synonyms
arrange
She arranged an appointment for Friday afternoon.
make up
construct
You will find it difficult to construct a spending plan without first recording your outgoings.
put together
order
Entries in the book are ordered alphabetically.
organize
We need someone to help organize our campaign.
phrasal verb
See compose yourself
Additional synonyms
in the sense of build
Definition
to make or construct by joining parts or materials
Developers are now proposing to build a hotel on the site.
Synonyms
construct,
make,
raise,
put up,
assemble,
erect,
fabricate,
form
in the sense of compound
Definition
to make by combining parts or features
Synonyms
settle,
arrange,
adjust,
compose
in the sense of comprise
Definition
to form or make up
Women comprise the majority of this hospital's medical staff.