Prone
ˈprəʊn
Definitions
2 meaningsLying flat, especially face downward.
ˈprəʊn
Lying flat, face downward.
The soldier lay prone, taking cover from the gunfire.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're lying on your stomach to get a tan or read a comic book. You're prone!
👶 For kids: When you're lying down flat on your tummy!
More Examples
The doctor asked the patient to lie prone on the examination table.
She spent the afternoon prone on her bed, reading.
How It's Used
"The patient was placed in the prone position for the examination."
"He lay prone on the beach, soaking up the sun."
Likely to do or to be affected by something bad.
ˈprəʊn
Likely or liable to suffer from, do, or experience something undesirable.
She is prone to headaches when she doesn't get enough sleep.
💡 Simply: If you're 'prone' to something, it means you're more likely to experience it. Like, if you're prone to catching colds, you get them often.
👶 For kids: It means you're more likely to have something happen to you, like if you're prone to falling down when you run.
More Examples
The area is prone to flooding during the rainy season.
People who are overweight are more prone to heart disease.
How It's Used
"He is prone to allergies during the spring."
"Children are prone to accidents."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
prone to error
Likely to make mistakes.
"The system is prone to error and needs to be updated."
From Middle English proun, prowne, from Old French pron (inclined, ready), from Latin pronus (bent forward, inclined).
The word 'prone' has been used since the 14th century, initially describing a physical posture before extending to describe a tendency.
Memory tip
Think of lying face down on the 'prone' (praying) position.
Word Origin
"bent forward, inclined"