What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
procumbent
Example
The procumbent stems of the strawberry plant spread out along the ground. [procumbent: adjective]
Example
The dog lay procumbent on the floor, waiting for its owner to return. [procumbent: adjective]
Example
The athlete maintained a procumbent posture during the race to reduce air resistance. [procumbent: noun]
prostrate
Example
The worshipper lay prostrate on the ground in front of the altar. [prostrate: adjective]
Example
After running the marathon, he was completely prostrate and unable to move. [prostrate: adjective]
Example
The storm had prostrated the crops, leaving them flattened on the ground. [prostrated: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prostrate is more commonly used than procumbent in everyday language. Prostrate is a versatile word that can be used to describe physical and emotional states, while procumbent is less common and mainly used in botanical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between procumbent and prostrate?
Both procumbent and prostrate are formal words that are not commonly used in everyday conversation. However, prostrate may have a more negative connotation and be perceived as more dramatic or intense than procumbent.
