pose

¹

[pohz]

verb (used without object)

posed, posing 

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, posing 

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, posing 

1. Archaic.,  to perplex or baffle, as by a difficult question or problem.

2. Obsolete.,  to examine by putting questions.

posé

³

[poh-zey, paw-zey]

noun

Ballet.

plural

posés 

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. 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

Other Word Forms

• posable adjective

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

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

Synonym Study

See position.

Example Sentences

It will also pose a challenge to “Face the Nation” producers who already operate in an environment where real-time fact checking can’t always keep up with the misinformation presented by guests on the program.

From Los Angeles Times

Our reporter, posing as a schoolgirl, bought four bottles through a dealer on the social media site that later tested positive for the so-called zombie drug.

From BBC

While she posed a greater threat this time around, the same opponent proved too resolute in the crucial moments.

From BBC

"The manoeuvring in Gaza City poses a real threat to the hostages, both the living and the deceased who could disappear forever," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum warned.

From BBC

Councils said the saltires were being removed because they were put up without permission and posed a safety threat.

From BBC

Related Words

• mannerism 
• mien 
• posture 

When To Use

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.