A1 noun Neutral

composition

/ˌkɒmpəˈzɪʃən/

Composition is the way different parts are put together to make a whole thing, like a painting, a song, or a story. It describes how elements are arranged to look or sound good together.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I like the composition of this photo because the tree is in the perfect spot.

I like the composition of this photo because the tree is in the perfect spot.

2

The artist carefully considered the composition of the elements on the canvas.

The artist carefully considered the composition of the elements on the canvas.

3

Check out the composition of this cool drawing I made!

Check out the composition of this cool drawing I made!

Word Family

Noun
composition
Verb
compose
Adverb
compositionally
Adjective
compositional
Related
composer
💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'COM' (together) and 'POSITION' (place). It is the way things are 'placed together'.

Quick Quiz

The photographer adjusted the camera to get a better ______.

Correct!

The correct answer is: composition

Examples

1

I like the composition of this photo because the tree is in the perfect spot.

everyday

I like the composition of this photo because the tree is in the perfect spot.

2

The artist carefully considered the composition of the elements on the canvas.

formal

The artist carefully considered the composition of the elements on the canvas.

3

Check out the composition of this cool drawing I made!

informal

Check out the composition of this cool drawing I made!

4

The professor analyzed the chemical composition of the rock sample.

academic

The professor analyzed the chemical composition of the rock sample.

5

We need to change the composition of the committee to include more experts.

business

We need to change the composition of the committee to include more experts.

Word Family

Noun
composition
Verb
compose
Adverb
compositionally
Adjective
compositional
Related
composer

Common Collocations

musical composition musical composition
balanced composition balanced composition
chemical composition chemical composition
write a composition write a composition
color composition color composition

Common Phrases

the composition of matter

the composition of matter

in composition with

in composition with

a short composition

a short composition

Often Confused With

composition vs component

A component is a single part, while composition is the way all parts are put together.

📝

Usage Notes

Use this word when talking about how a piece of art is organized or what something is made of.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'composition' only for school essays, but it is very common in photography and science too.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'COM' (together) and 'POSITION' (place). It is the way things are 'placed together'.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin 'compositio', meaning a putting together or an arrangement.

Grammar Patterns

countable noun (a musical composition) uncountable noun (the composition of the soil) plural: compositions
🌍

Cultural Context

In many English-speaking schools, a 'composition' is a common term for a short essay or writing assignment.

Quick Quiz

The photographer adjusted the camera to get a better ______.

Correct!

The correct answer is: composition

More art words

contrast

A1

A contrast is a clear difference between two things when you see them together. In art, it usually describes the difference between light and dark colors or different shapes.

hue

A1

A hue is a specific color or a shade of a color. It is used to describe the pure color of something, especially in art and design.

saturation

A1

Saturation is the strength or purity of a color. It describes how vivid or bright a color looks compared to how grey or dull it looks.

tone

A1

Tone describes how light or dark a color is. In art, it is used to create shadows, depth, and different moods within a painting or drawing.

gallery

A1

A gallery is a room or building used for showing or selling works of art, such as paintings and sculptures. It can also refer to a collection of images, either in a physical space or on a digital device.

exhibition

A1

An exhibition is a public event where people can look at things like art, historical objects, or new products. It is usually held in a museum, gallery, or large hall for a limited time.

curator

A1

A curator is a person who looks after a museum or an art gallery. They choose which items to show and take care of the collections.

painter

A1

A painter is a person whose job or hobby is to create pictures using paint. It can also refer to a person who paints surfaces like walls, doors, and buildings for a living.

sculptor

A1

A sculptor is a person who creates art by shaping materials like stone, wood, metal, or clay. They make three-dimensional objects, such as statues, using tools to carve or build up forms.

photography

A1

Photography is the activity or job of taking pictures with a camera. It is a form of art that uses light to create images of people, nature, or objects.

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