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View synonyms for pose

pose

1

[ pohz ]

verb (used without object)

, posed, pos·ing.
  1. to assume a particular attitude or stance, especially with the hope of impressing others:

    He likes to pose as an authority on literature.

  2. to present oneself insincerely:

    He seems to be posing in all his behavior.

  3. to assume or hold a physical attitude, as for an artistic purpose:

    to pose for a painter.

    Synonyms: model, sit

verb (used with object)

, posed, pos·ing.
  1. to place in a suitable position or attitude for a picture, tableau, or the like:

    to pose a group for a photograph.

  2. to assert, state, or put forward:

    That poses a difficult problem.

  3. to put or place.

noun

  1. a bodily attitude or posture:

    Her pose had a note of defiance in it.

  2. a mental attitude or posture:

    a pose cultivated by the upper classes.

  3. the act or period of posing, as for a picture.
  4. a position or attitude assumed in posing, or exhibited by a figure in a picture, sculptural work, tableau, or the like.
  5. a moment in which a dancer remains motionless, usually in an assumed posture.
  6. a studied attitude; affectation:

    His liberalism is merely a pose.

pose

2

[ pohz ]

verb (used with object)

, posed, pos·ing.
  1. Archaic. to perplex or baffle, as by a difficult question or problem.
  2. Obsolete. to examine by putting questions.

posé

3

[ poh-zey; French paw-zey ]

noun

, Ballet.
, plural po·sés [poh-, zeyz, paw-, zey].
  1. a movement in which the dancer steps, in any desired position, from one foot to the other with a straight knee onto the flat foot, demi-pointe, or pointe.

pose

1

/ pəʊz /

verb

  1. to assume or cause to assume a physical attitude, as for a photograph or painting
  2. introften foll byas to pretend to be or present oneself (as something one is not)
  3. intr to affect an attitude or play a part in order to impress others
  4. tr to put forward, ask, or assert

    to pose a question

noun

  1. a physical attitude, esp one deliberately adopted for or represented by an artist or photographer
  2. a mode of behaviour that is adopted for effect

pose

2

/ pəʊz /

verb

  1. rare.
    to puzzle or baffle
  2. archaic.
    to question closely

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Other Words From

  • pos·a·ble adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of pose1

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English verb posen, from Middle French poser, from Late Latin pausāre “to stop, cease, rest,” derivative of Latin pausa “stop, cessation” ( pause ); French poser has taken over the basic sense of Latin pōnere “to put, place” and represents it in French borrowings of its prefixed derivatives ( compose, depose, etc.)

Origin of pose2

First recorded in 1520–30; shortening of obsolete appose, variant of oppose, used in sense of Latin appōnere “to put to”

Origin of pose3

First recorded in 1925–30; from French: “poised,” past participle of poser “to pose”; pose 1

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Word History and Origins

Origin of pose1

C14: from Old French poser to set in place, from Late Latin pausāre to cease, put down (influenced by Latin pōnere to place)

Origin of pose2

C16: from obsolete appose, from Latin appōnere to put to, set against; see oppose

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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Anything that interrupts the way they interact with their surroundings can pose risks to them, Narayan says.

We’ll collect it as part of a strategic workshop for SEO business leaders and we’ll challenge the opportunities and risks the current market poses.

The challenges and risks posed by AI also differ depending on one’s locale.

Public health experts warn that the wide-reaching emergency use program poses risks.

From Vox

While the bugs in question would only pose a risk if a user had also downloaded a malicious application onto their Android device, we have fixed them.

Plus there is another problem that the viruses pose—the problem that apparently is the culprit this year—they evolve.

He called out the conformism hiding in the pose of rugged individuality.

After the Thursday prayer, the crowd of Congressional staff and lawmakers posed in the iconic, "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" pose.

Cooper had little Alexis pose for a picture on the exact spot there Garner was pinned.

Some, like Norman Mailer, adopted the cooler pose of being casually interested in the possibility.

He remembered something—the cherished pose of being a man plunged fathoms-deep in business.

She was growing a little stout, but it did not seem to detract an iota from the grace of every step, pose, gesture.

Ollie saw someone standing before it, bending slightly forward in the pose of expectation.

But she was young enough and pretty enough to pay little heed to pose or background.

What's more, I s'pose he can't even see them Injun pony tracks around the body.

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Related Words

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More About Pose

What is the basic definition of pose?

Pose means to position your body in a particular way for a painting, picture, or similar situation. Pose also means the particular positioning you assume as part of posing. To pose also means to state or assert something. Pose has several other senses as a verb and a noun.

When people pose, they arrange their body and face in a certain position for some reason. For example, people often pose for pictures by making a peace sign with their hand or blowing a kiss to the camera. Before cameras were invented, politicians and other important people would pose for portraits, which often involved remaining completely still for hours at a time. A person who poses is called a poser.

  • Real-life examples: Supermodels will pose when they reach the end of a catwalk. People often pose in selfies that they then post on social media. It is thought that the woman who posed for Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa was Lisa Gherardini del Giocondo.
  • Used in a sentence: My family posed for a picture to use on a Christmas card. 

In this same sense, pose means a specific arrangement of the body and face that a person assumes for some reason.

  • Real-life examples: Yoga involves positioning your body in a variety of poses. Many dance routines involve performing a variety of poses. Your mom likely wants you to have a nice pose for your school picture.
  • Used in a sentence: The painting depicted the king in a very powerful pose.

As a verb, pose can also mean to assert, state, or put forward.

  • Real-life examples: Reporters pose questions to people they are interviewing. An active volcano often poses problems to people who live nearby. A new job often poses many new challenges that a person must overcome.
  • Used in a sentence: Pollution poses a threat to a healthy environment. 

Where does pose come from?

The first records of pose come from around 1325. It ultimately comes from the Late Latin pausāre, meaning “to stop” or “to cease.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to pose?

  • poser (noun)
  • posable (adjective)
  • posingly (adverb)

What are some synonyms for pose?

What are some words that share a root or word element with pose? 

What are some words that often get used in discussing pose?

How is pose used in real life?

Pose is a common word that most often means to position your body in a certain way for a picture or photograph.

Try using pose!

Is pose used correctly in the following sentence?

The undercover police officer posed as a mail carrier while following the suspect.

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