adjective \ˈprōn\

: likely to do, have, or suffer from something

: lying with the front of your body facing downward

Full Definition of PRONE

:  having a tendency or inclination :  being likely <prone to forget names> <accident-prone>
a :  having the front or ventral surface downward
b :  lying flat or prostrate
prone adverb
prone·ly adverb
prone·ness \ˈprōn-nəs\ noun

Examples of PRONE

  1. <he was prone to emotional outbursts under stress>
  2. <quickly subdue the suspect and get him into a prone position>
  3. Hull then corralled the rebound and shoveled the puck past the left arm and leg of the prone Hasek with his forehand, touching off a wild on-ice celebration. —Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated, 28 June 1999

Origin of PRONE

Middle English, from Latin pronus bent forward, tending; akin to Latin pro forward — more at for
First Known Use: 14th century

Synonym Discussion of PRONE

prone, supine, prostrate, recumbent mean lying down. prone implies a position with the front of the body turned toward the supporting surface <push-ups require a prone position>. supine implies lying on one's back and suggests inertness or abjectness <lying supine on the couch>. prostrate implies lying full-length as in submission, defeat, or physical collapse <a runner fell prostrate at the finish line>. recumbent implies the posture of one sleeping or resting <a patient comfortably recumbent in a hospital bed>.
synonyms see in addition liable


adjective \ˈprōn\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of PRONE

:  having the front or ventral surface downward; especially :  lying facedown
prone adverb


Next Word in the Dictionary: prone floatPrevious Word in the Dictionary: pronatorAll Words Near: prone
May 23, 2015
debouch Hear it
to emerge or cause to emerge
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