Prosaic

pro-ZAY-ik

Definition

(adjective) Ordinary or unimaginative; lacking poetic beauty.

Example

The prosaic report stuck to data and skipped any flair.

Fun Fact

Prosaic comes from the same root as prose, and was originally a neutral term. But in modern usage, it often carries a quiet insult. If something’s prosaic, it might be reliable—but don’t expect it to be moving. Writers, designers, and critics use it to signal a lack of imagination or flair—even when something is technically competent.

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