composecom‧pose /kəmˈpəʊz $ -ˈpoʊz/ ●●○ verb 
Word Origin Examples
Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen. The legal system is composed of people, and people make mistakes. ► Do not say that something ‘is composed by’ or ‘is composed with’ things or people. Say that it is composed of things or people. b)[transitive not in progressive] formal to combine together to form something SYN make up: More than 17.6 million firms compose the business sector of our economy.2[intransitive, transitive] to write a piece of music → composer, composition: Barrington has composed the music for a new production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.3compose a letter/poem/speech etc to write a letter, poem etc, thinking very carefully about it as you write it: Compose a letter to your local paper stating your views on an issue of your choice.4a)compose yourself to try hard to become calm after feeling very angry, upset, or excited: Lynn took several deep breaths to compose herself. b)compose your face/features/thoughts to make yourself look or feel calm → composure: When asked a question, give yourself a second to compose your thoughts.5[transitive] to arrange the parts of a painting, photograph, or scene in a way that achieves a particular result: I like the way he composes his photographs.
Word OriginWORD ORIGINcompose
Verb TableOrigin:
1300-1400 Old French composer, from Latin componere; ➔ COMPOUND2VERB TABLE
compose
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | compose |
| he, she, it | composes | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | composed |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have composed |
| he, she, it | has composed | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had composed |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will compose |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have composed |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am composing |
| he, she, it | is composing | |
| you, we, they | are composing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was composing |
| you, we, they | were composing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been composing |
| he, she, it | has been composing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been composing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be composing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been composing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- a song composed by Schubert
- Dario composes for a living.
- Glass composed the music for Cocteau's movie.
- I needed a quiet place to compose my thoughts.
- Mozart composed his first symphony when he was still a child.
- Olsen knows how to compose a visually interesting scene, but the script lets him down.
- Schumann was better at composing music than playing it.
- The children will now play some pieces that they composed themselves.
- The menu includes more than 60 small dishes from which you can compose a meal.
- The music was composed and performed by Keith Jarrett.
- These love poems are believed to have been composed by a poet at the court of King Henry II.
- Tom tried to compose a letter, but he couldn't concentrate.
- A young moon shining on the cascading waters made them appear to be composed of drifting snow.
- He proposed a smaller army to be composed of better-trained and better-equipped soldiers.
- Language is richly composed of many references which set up a commonality of theme between different parts of text or speech.
- Microsoft Mail allows users to read, compose, forward or reply to electronic mail messages.
- The region was bitter cold in winter and was composed largely of woodland tracts veined heavily with water.
- The second section is the Review of Literature, and is composed of three major subheadings.
Longman Language Activatorto become calm► calm down
Collocations to become calm again after you have been angry or upset: · I waited for him to calm down before I said anything.· He sat down and exhaled slowly, trying to calm down.
► cool down/off to calm down after you have been very angry: · Leave her alone until she cools down a bit.· I think you should both cool off, and maybe then you can sit down and discuss it rationally.
► compose yourself to deliberately make yourself look and feel calm after you have been upset: · She took several deep breaths to compose herself before going downstairs.· He waited a moment outside the door so that Philip would have time to compose himself.
► steady your nerves especially British if you do something, especially have an alcoholic drink, to steady your nerves , you do it to make yourself calm: · They finally found him in the bar, where he had gone to steady his nerves.
to write music► write to write a song or a piece of music: · I wrote the next song for my wife.· an opera written by Verdi· I sit at the piano when I write.
► compose to write a piece of music, especially classical music: · Glass composed the music for Cocteau's movie.· a song composed by Schubert· The children will now play some pieces that they composed themselves.· Dario composes for a living.
► set/put something to music to write music so that the words of a play, poem etc can be sung: · The Greek tragedy "Elektra" was set to music by Richard Strauss.· She sat at the piano for hours, putting one of her poems to music.
to write a story, book, newspaper article etc► write to write a book, story, newspaper article etc: · I can't come out tonight. I have an essay to write.· Who wrote 'Madame Bovary'?· Anna enjoys writing, and she's quite good at it.write about/on: · She writes very amusingly about her childhood in Moscow.· He wrote several scholarly articles on ancient Chinese texts.well/badly written: · It's a fascinating article, and very well written.
► compile to make a list, or a document, book etc that contains lists of information, for example a dictionary: · They are compiling a dictionary of new words.· The book was compiled by a panel of experts, working in conjunction with the publisher.
► compose formal to write a poem, letter, or song, thinking very carefully about what to say and how to say it: · These love poems are believed to have been composed by a poet at the court of King Henry II.· Tom tried to compose a letter, but he couldn't concentrate.
to write a song/music► write to write music or songs: · Lennon and McCartney wrote over 100 songs.· Who wrote the film soundtrack for 'The Bodyguard'?
► compose to write a piece of music, especially serious music: · Mozart composed his first symphony when he was still a child.· The music was composed and performed by Keith Jarrett.
► composer someone who writes music, especially serious music: · My favourite composer is Beethoven.· the composer Philip Glass
► songwriter someone who writes songs, especially modern, popular songs: · songwriter Bernie Taupinsinger-songwriter (=someone who writes and performs their own songs): · Kaylie is a very talented singer-songwriter.
WORD SETS► Musica cappella, adjectiveaccelerando, adjectiveaccompaniment, nounaccompanist, nounaccompany, verbaccordion, nounacid house, nounacoustic, adjectiveadagio, nounallegro, nounandante, adjectiveandante, nounanthem, nounaria, nounarpeggio, nounarr., arrange, verbarrangement, nounatonal, adjectiveback, verbbacking, nounbagpipes, nounbalalaika, nounballad, nounband, nounbandmaster, nounbandsman, nounbandstand, nounbanjo, nounbar, nounbarbershop, nounbaritone, nounbarrel organ, nounbass, nounbass, adjectivebass clef, nounbass guitar, nounbassist, nounbassoon, nounbaton, nounbeat, verbbeat, nounbebop, nounblast, verbblow, verbbluegrass, nounbolero, nounbongos, nounboogie, nounbootleg, nounbow, nounbow, verbbrass band, nounbreve, nounbridge, nounbugle, nounbusk, verbC, nouncabaret, nouncadence, nouncadenza, nouncalypso, nounC & W, canon, nouncantata, nouncanticle, nouncantor, nouncarillon, nouncarol, nouncarol, verbcastanets, nouncatchy, adjectivecellist, nouncello, nounchamber music, nounchamber orchestra, nounchant, verbchant, nounchoir, nounchoirboy, nounchoral, adjectivechorale, nounchord, nounchorister, nounchorus, nounChristmas carol, nounchromatic, adjectiveclapper, nounclarinet, nounclavichord, nounclef, nouncoda, nouncoloratura, nouncombo, nouncompose, verbcomposer, nounconcert, nounconcertgoer, nounconcertina, nounconcertmaster, nounconcerto, nounconduct, verbconductor, nounconsonant, adjectiveconsort, nouncontinuo, nouncontrabass, nouncontralto, nouncor anglais, nouncornet, nouncounterpoint, nouncountertenor, nouncountry and western, nouncountry music, nouncover, verbcover, nouncrescendo, nouncroon, verbcrotchet, nouncut, verbcymbal, nounD, noundamper, noundance, noundance band, noundemo, noundescant, noundidgeridoo, noundiminuendo, noundirge, noundisc jockey, noundiscord, noundiscordant, adjectivedissonance, nounditty, nounDixieland, noundo, noundoh, noundominant, noundouble bass, noundownbeat, noundrum, noundrum, verbdrumbeat, noundrum kit, noundrum major, noundrummer, noundrumming, noundrum-roll, noundrumstick, noundub, nounduet, noundulcimer, nounduo, nounear, nouneasy listening, nouneighth note, nounelevator music, nounencore, interjectionensemble, nounexpression, nounf., fa, nounfalsetto, nounfanfare, nounfantasia, nounfiddle, nounfiddler, nounfife, nounfinale, nounfingering, nounflat, adjectiveflat, nounflat, adverbflautist, nounfloor show, nounflourish, nounflute, nounfolk, nounfolk, adjectivefolk music, nounforte, nounforte, adjectivefortissimo, adjectiveforty-five, nounFrench horn, nounfret, nounfugue, nounfunk, nounfunky, adjectiveg, gamelan, noungig, noungig, verbglee club, nounglide, nounglockenspiel, noungong, noungospel, noungrand, noungrand opera, noungrand piano, nounGregorian chant, noungroup, nounguitar, nounhalf note, nounhalf step, nounhammer, nounhard rock, nounharmonic, adjectiveharmonica, nounharmonium, nounharmonize, verbharmony, nounharp, nounharpsichord, nounheavy metal, nounhigh, adjectivehigh-pitched, adjectivehip hop, nounhorn, nounhot, adjectivehouse music, nounhurdy-gurdy, nounhymn, nounimpressionism, nounimpressionist, nounimprovise, verbincidental music, nouninstrument, nouninstrumental, adjectiveinstrumental, nouninstrumentalist, nouninstrumentation, nouninterlude, nouninterval, nounjam, verbjam session, nounjazz, nounjazzy, adjectivejig, nounjingle, nounjungle, nounkaraoke, nounkazoo, nounkettledrum, nounkey, nounkeyboard, nounkey signature, nounla, nounlament, nounlargo, adjectiveleader, nounledger line, nounlegato, adjectiveleitmotif, nounlento, adjectivelibrettist, nounlibretto, nounlilt, nounlullaby, nounlute, nounlyre, nounlyric, adjectivelyrical, adjectivelyricism, nounlyricist, nounmadrigal, nounmaestro, nounmajor, adjectivemale-voice choir, nounmandolin, nounmaracas, nounmarch, nounmarching band, nounmariachi, nounmarimba, nounmasterclass, nounmedley, nounmellifluous, adjectivemelodic, adjectivemelodious, adjectivemelody, nounmetronome, nounmezzo-soprano, nounmi, nounmiddle C, nounminim, nounminor, adjectiveminstrel, nounminuet, nounmodal, adjectivemode, nounmoderato, adjectivemodulate, verbmolto, adverbmood music, nounmotif, nounmouth organ, nounmouthpiece, nounmovement, nounmusic, nounmusical, adjectivemusical, nounmusical instrument, nounmusically, adverbmusician, nounmusicianship, nounmusicology, nounmusic stand, nounmute, verbmute, nounMuzak, nounnational anthem, nounnatural, adjectivenatural, nounNegro spiritual, nounnocturne, nounnote, nounnumber, nounnumber one, nounnursery rhyme, nounoboe, nounoctave, nounoctet, nounoff-key, adjectiveone-man band, nounopera, nounopera house, nounoperetta, nounopus, nounoratorio, nounorchestra, nounorchestral, adjectiveorchestra pit, nounorchestrate, verborgan, nounorgan grinder, nounorganist, nounovertone, nounoverture, nounp., panpipes, nounpart, nounpart-song, nounpause, nounpeal, verbpedal, nounpeg, nounpenny whistle, nounpercussion, nounperfect pitch, nounPhilharmonic, adjectivephrase, nounphrase, verbphrasing, nounpianissimo, adjectivepianist, nounpiano, nounpiano, adjectivepianola, nounpiccolo, nounpick, verbpick, nounpipe, verbpiped music, nounpiper, nounpitch, nounpitch, verbpizzicato, nounplainchant, nounplainsong, nounplay, verbplayer, nounplayer piano, nounplectrum, nounpluck, verbpolyphony, nounpop, nounpop group, nounpop music, nounpop star, nounprelude, nounpresto, adjectivepresto, nounprima donna, nounproduction number, nounpromenade concert, nounpsaltery, nounpunk, nounquarter note, nounquartet, nounquaver, nounquintet, nounR & B, nounrag, nounraga, nounragga, nounragtime, nounrange, nounrap, nounrap, verbrapper, nounrecital, nounrecitative, nounrecord, nounrecorder, nounreed, nounrefrain, nounreggae, nounregister, nounremaster, verbrendering, nounrendition, nounrepeat, nounrequest, nounrequiem, nounresonator, nounrest, nounrhapsody, nounrhythm, nounrhythm and blues, nounrhythm section, nounriff, nounroadie, nounroad manager, nounrock, nounrock and roll, nounrock music, nounrock 'n' roll, nounrondo, nounrostrum, nounround, nounrumba, nounrun, nounsalsa, nounsamba, nounsaxophone, nounsaxophonist, nounscale, nounscat, nounscherzo, nounscore, nounscore, verbsemibreve, nounsemiquaver, nounsemitone, nounseptet, nounserenade, nounserenade, verbset, nounsetting, nounsextet, nounshanty, nounsharp, adverbsharp, nounsheet music, nounsight-read, verbsignature tune, nounsing, verbsinger, nounsinger-songwriter, nounsingle, nounsitar, nounsixteenth note, nounska, nounskiffle, nounslide, nounslur, verbslur, nounsnare drum, nounso, nounsol, nounsol-fa, nounsolo, adjectivesolo, nounsoloist, nounsonata, nounsong, nounsongbook, nounsongster, nounsongwriter, nounsoprano, nounsoprano, adjectivesoul, nounsoundtrack, nounspiritual, nounsqueezebox, nounstaccato, adverbstaff, nounstandard, nounStar-Spangled Banner, the, stave, nounsteel band, nounsteel guitar, nounstep, nounstring, verbstringed instrument, nounstrum, verbstudy, nounsuite, nounswell, nounswing, nounsymphony, nounsyncopated, adjectivesyncopation, nounsynthesis, nounsynthesize, verbsynthesizer, nountabla, nountabor, nountambourine, nountechno, nountempo, nountenor, nountenor, adjectiveTex-Mex, adjectivetheme, nounthrash, nounthrenody, nounthrob, verbti, nountimbrel, nountime, nountime signature, nountimpani, nountoccata, nountom-tom, nountonal, adjectivetonality, nountone, nountone-deaf, adjectivetone poem, nountonic, nountootle, verbtrack, nountranscribe, verbtranspose, verbtreble, nountreble, adjectivetreble clef, nountremolo, nountriangle, nountrill, nountrombone, nountrumpet, nountuba, nountune, nountune, verbtuneful, adjectivetuneless, adjectivetuning fork, nountuning peg, nounukulele, noununaccompanied, adjectiveupright piano, nounvalve, nounvariation, nounverse, nounvibes, nounvibraphone, nounvibrato, nounviola, nounviolin, nounviolinist, nounvirginals, nounvirtuoso, nounvivace, adjectivevocal, adjectivevocal, nounvocalist, nounvoice, nounvoluntary, nounwaltz, nounwarble, verbwarbler, nounwhole note, nounwind instrument, nounwoodwind, nounxylophone, nounyodel, verbyodel, nounzither, nounzydeco, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► write/compose music
Phrases· He composed the music for the ‘Lord of the Rings’ films.
► compose a poem formal (=write a poem)· He composed a poem in his head.
► write/compose a song· Do they write their own songs?
► write/compose a tune· They wrote many great tunes together in the 80s.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB► entirely· The second issue is that, if a household is composed entirely of students, it should be exempt.· One is composed entirely of female whales who, when full grown, are one-third the bulk of an average male.· The exhibition is lavishly illustrated with colour photographs and features a moss garden composed entirely of local Ulster mosses.· The Universe is composed entirely of waves.· He made policy with the aid of an Executive Council which was composed entirely of senior officials.· Federal Judge Kimba Wood disregarded an appeal by Milken's lawyer for a sentence composed entirely of community service.
► largely· These are composed largely of local councillors indirectly appointed by their local authority but not directly elected to these bodies.· The region was bitter cold in winter and was composed largely of woodland tracts veined heavily with water.· The tax base in the suburbs is largely composed of single-family residences.· Morris resolved to complain to the board, which was composed largely of retired seamen.· This group, so called because of the custom among its members of grease-painting their faces, was composed largely of non-commissioned officers.
► mainly· Kaolinite clays are mainly composed of the clay mineral kaolin.· The money economy shook the foundations of a society composed mainly of lords and peasants.· The Lizard complex is composed mainly of serpentinite with gabbro and metamorphosed basic rocks.· The Stinkdolomit is composed mainly of dark, thinly bedded and dolomitised carbonate mudstones.· All three are mainly composed of silica, but analysis reveals significant differences in other components.· On March 6 Anand appointed an interim Cabinet composed mainly of businessmen and technocrats.· The Island is composed mainly of red sandstone.
► mostly· The group is composed mostly of university professors, though of every persuasion from Keynesian to libertarian to Marxist.· That meant learning their language, composed mostly of guttural noises, facial expressions, arm movements and gestures.
NOUN► church· Goudimel seems to have composed no more Latin church music after he embraced Protestantism c. 1560.· The Orthodox Church is composed of 23 self-governing churches that emerged from the Byzantine Empire.
► face· He held out his hand to his junior master and composed his face into a solemn expression of trust.· I compose my face into a smile.· They had composed their faces, but their eyes sparkled and their mouths yearned to smile.· It is a face that masks emotion rather than displays it, a composed face, insular, a little haughty.
► group· The groups are usually composed of genetic kin, but not always.· The band is certainly the oddity: a teenybop group composed of teenyboppers.· The group is composed mostly of university professors, though of every persuasion from Keynesian to libertarian to Marxist.· Midway through the summer Frye instructed the students to divide themselves into groups to plan and compose a narrative.
► letter· The trainee is expected to compose a letter and a memo from short notes provided.· Tom began to compose his next letter to them.· She began to compose a letter in her head, then rejected the idea.· Me and my sore back composed a letter to Martina.· Then he turned over the piece of paper and composed a letter to his wife, Olga.· He'd have been better off getting them to help him compose a Dear Marje letter.· Tom agreed but trying to compose the letter brought on one of his headaches.· We now turn to the important business of composing appropriate letters.
► member· Our executive committee is composed of voluntary members and a part-time national officer.· The Safety Board is composed of five members nominated for five-year terms by the president and confirmed by the Senate.· The committee is composed of eight members representing oil, sewage, dredging, business and other dischargers.
► music· Pictures I wanted to paint, books I wanted to write, music I wanted to compose.· A lot of harsh, dissonant music has been composed in the last 40 years.
► poem· And if you intend to compose your own poems, limericks or verses, a songwriter's rhyming dictionary would be invaluable.· Presumably Mira is composing a poem, counting the syllables as she walks.· In return he composed short poems of thanks.· With Donald Crubach's help, he played the harp and sang, and started again to compose songs and poems.· His movements were slow, his gaze abstracted, as if he were composing a poem in his head.
► representative· This informal guidance is given by the Defence, Press and Broadcasting Committee which is composed of representatives of government and media.· It will meet in Vienna and be composed of the permanent representatives of the participating States. 19.· HEPnet is managed by the HEPnet Technical Committee, which is composed of representatives from each participating country.
► song· They compose the songs on the spot.· With Donald Crubach's help, he played the harp and sang, and started again to compose songs and poems.
► speech· Alternatively pick up a pen and a piece of paper and compose your own speech immediately after reading all these for inspiration.· William Faulkner composed his Nobel Prize speech there.· Words are composed by some speech carpenters and put in the box.
► word· On the whole, the Commission urges that new hymn tunes should be composed for new words, and viceversa.
VERB► begin· She began to compose a letter in her head, then rejected the idea.· Tom began to compose his next letter to them.· In 1969 he began composing and writing music for his own occasional groups.· Maggie began in a very composed manner.· He also encouraged his wife, Carla Bley, to begin composing.· From the moment she began composing in the early 1960s, Bley was an original with an extraordinary melodic flair.
► seem· The texts seem to have been composed as a result of work in and on language.· For a man whose lover had been brutally murdered the night before he seemed cheerful and composed.· Goudimel seems to have composed no more Latin church music after he embraced Protestantism c. 1560.
► try· I tried to compose my features into a combination of nonchalance and justification.· I tried to sound composed, not to show courage but because I suddenly realized it was simply the only alternative.· She raised a hand and fingered her heavy silver earrings, trying to compose herself.· Tom agreed but trying to compose the letter brought on one of his headaches.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► be composed of something► compose a letter/poem/speech etc► compose yourself► compose your face/features/thoughts
1a)be composed of something to be formed from a number of substances, parts, or people SYN consist of: - Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen.
- And what kind of family is it that is composed of nearly two thousand members?
- It is composed of a single floral head within a diamond framework flanked by four outwardly curling leaves.
- On analysis it was found to be composed of 90.26% copper and 9.16% tin, with a loss of 0.13%.
- Peter Cameron tells sad stories with tender grace and understatement, as if his work were composed of panels of watercolor.
- The buffer base is composed of the anionic buffers which include bicarbonate, phosphate, serum proteins, and hemoglobin.
- The legal system is composed of people, and people err.
- The Orthodox Church is composed of 23 self-governing churches that emerged from the Byzantine Empire.
- Women Inventors All matter is composed of chemical substances.
- His movements were slow, his gaze abstracted, as if he were composing a poem in his head.
- Me and my sore back composed a letter to Martina.
- Presumably Mira is composing a poem, counting the syllables as she walks.
- She began to compose a letter in her head, then rejected the idea.
- The trainee is expected to compose a letter and a memo from short notes provided.
- Then he turned over the piece of paper and composed a letter to his wife, Olga.
- He waited a moment outside the door so that Philip would have time to compose himself.
- She took several deep breaths to compose herself before going downstairs.
- He paused for a while to compose himself then staggered down to the porter's lodge.
- Ralph would compose himself, at the ready.
- She lit a cigarette ... composed herself.
- She saw Anna, and was visibly struggling to compose herself as she came to the door.
- She waits outside the room, head down, composing herself while the players find seats inside.
- The fisherman brayed laughter, pleased with his joke, and delighted to see the boy had composed himself.
- There she wept and fought to compose herself before returning to the parlor with a small, pinched smile.
- He held out his hand to his junior master and composed his face into a solemn expression of trust.
- I compose my face into a smile.
- I tried to compose my features into a combination of nonchalance and justification.
- They had composed their faces, but their eyes sparkled and their mouths yearned to smile.
- When asked a question do not rush at your answer but give yourself a second or two to compose your thoughts.
Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen. The legal system is composed of people, and people make mistakes. ► Do not say that something ‘is composed by’ or ‘is composed with’ things or people. Say that it is composed of things or people. b)[transitive not in progressive] formal to combine together to form something SYN make up: More than 17.6 million firms compose the business sector of our economy.2[intransitive, transitive] to write a piece of music → composer, composition: Barrington has composed the music for a new production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.3compose a letter/poem/speech etc to write a letter, poem etc, thinking very carefully about it as you write it: Compose a letter to your local paper stating your views on an issue of your choice.4a)compose yourself to try hard to become calm after feeling very angry, upset, or excited: Lynn took several deep breaths to compose herself. b)compose your face/features/thoughts to make yourself look or feel calm → composure: When asked a question, give yourself a second to compose your thoughts.5[transitive] to arrange the parts of a painting, photograph, or scene in a way that achieves a particular result: I like the way he composes his photographs.