compose

UK: /kəmˈpəʊz/ US: /kəmˈpoʊz/ ,(kəm pōz′)

Inflections of 'compose' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

composes

v 3rd person singular

composing

v pres p

composed

v past

composed

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

com•pose /kəmˈpoʊz/   v. [~ + object] , -posed, -pos•ing. 

1. to be or make up the parts of;
   form the basis of: [be + ~-ed + of + object]
   His spaghetti sauce was composed of many ingredients.
2. Literature, Music and Dance to create (a musical, literary, or dance work):
   He composed symphonies. Compose an essay of 500 words.
3. to arrange the elements of:
   The sculptor composed his pieces with precision and beauty.
4. to bring to a condition of calmness;
   settle down:
   He took a moment to compose himself, then walked out of the courtroom.

See -pos-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

com•pose  (kəm pōz′), v., -posed, -pos•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to make or form by combining things, parts, or elements:
   He composed his speech from many research notes.
2. to be or constitute a part or element of:
   a rich sauce composed of many ingredients.
3. to make up or form the basis of:
   Style composes the essence of good writing.
4. to put or dispose in proper form or order:
   to compose laws into a coherent system.
5. Fine Art [Art.] to organize the parts or elements of (a picture or the like).
6. Literature, Music and Dance to create (a musical, literary, or choreographic work).
7. to end or settle (a quarrel, dispute, etc.):
   The union and management composed their differences.
8. to bring (oneself, one's mind, etc.) to a condition of calmness, repose, etc.;
   calm;
   quiet.
9. [Print.]
   • to set (type).
   • to set type for (an article, book, etc.).

v.i. 

10. to engage in composition, esp. musical composition.
11. to enter into composition;
    fall into an arrangement:
    a scene that composes well.

• Middle French composer. See com-, pose¹
• late Middle English 1375–1425

com•pos′a•ble, adj. 
Synonyms

• 8. settle, collect.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

compose / 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. to set up (type)

Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French composer, from Latin compōnere to put in place; see component