pose

1 of 3

verb (1)

posed; posing

transitive verb

1
a
: to set forth or offer for attention or consideration
let me pose a question
b
: to come to attention as : present
smoking poses a health risk
2
a
: to put or set in place
b
: to place (someone, such as a model) in a studied attitude

intransitive verb

1
: to assume a posture or attitude usually for artistic purposes
2
: to affect an attitude or character usually to deceive or impress
posed as a doctor to gain access to the ward

pose

2 of 3

noun

1
: a sustained posture
especially : one assumed for artistic effect
2
: an attitude, role, or characteristic assumed for effect

pose

3 of 3

verb (2)

posed; posing
Choose the Right Synonym for pose

pose, air, airs, affectation, mannerism mean an adopted way of speaking or behaving.

pose implies an attitude deliberately assumed in order to impress others.

her shyness was just a pose

air may suggest natural acquirement through environment or way of life.

a traveler's sophisticated air

airs always implies artificiality and pretentiousness.

snobbish airs

affectation applies to a trick of speech or behavior that strikes the observer as insincere.

the posh accent is an affectation

mannerism applies to an acquired eccentricity that has become a habit.

gesturing with a cigarette was her most noticeable mannerism

Examples of pose in a Sentence

Noun The photographs show the models in both clothed and nude poses. Hold that pose. It will make a great photograph. His disapproval of the war looks good to voters, but I bet it's just a pose.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Galindo posed a threat to many — police, apartment residents and anyone nearby — and to allow a trial would threaten qualified immunity as a whole, Bader argued. Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2024 The Gray Lady has for several weeks been in the crosshairs of a vocal set of critics and readers who believe that Donald Trump poses a grave threat to American democracy and that the influential news organization isn’t adequately conveying those stakes to the public. Oliver Darcy, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024 The incident at Tesla's first European factory poses another setback for the company, which is facing pressure from a German metalworkers union and global supply chain issues because of attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Esme Nicholson, NPR, 5 Mar. 2024 Afterwards, the newlyweds posed for photos at home, captured by Christy Dux Portraits. Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 Hurricanes also pose higher risks to the equipment. Emily L. Mahoney, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 Like the photographer Richard Avedon, Reiss often poses his sitters in white space, the better to see their faces and minds at work. Hilton Als, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 Some of the account’s images are obviously jokes, showing Trump in ridiculous historical circumstances, including the former President posing with Martin Luther King Jr. Maxwell Zeff / Gizmodo, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2024 The bill advanced through the legislature, posing the biggest legal challenge to the corralejas, threatening to outlaw them (corralejas are only allowed in those parts with a tradition of holding such events). Toby Muse, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2024
Noun
Additionally, Prime Video shared a poster of August Moon that featured Galitzine striking a pose similar to one associated with a memorable picture of Styles during his 1D era. Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 Corporations will have to share key details about their role in driving climate change and the threat that warming poses to their operations under a contentious proposal the Securities and Exchange Commission approved 3-2 on Wednesday over intense business opposition. Maxine Joselow, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 Proactively Address Change Management Regularly assess and monitor the relevant risks and opportunities quantum poses and put relevant change management systems in place. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 So what is that rather curious pose of hand-to-face about? Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 Gold and marble statues hold their poses patiently in the hall around him, but Dickinson remains animated. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2024 Lionel Foundation Rihanna worked a pose in a canary Oscar de la Renta two-piece ensemble at the launch of her inclusive beauty line on Sept. 7, 2017 in Brooklyn, NY. Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2024 According to Derya, when looking at the scale of the issues climate change poses, this is a worthy investment. Matt Symonds, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 In one photo, the 21-year-old poses with the Painkillers actor, 61. Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 19 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pose.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French poser, from Vulgar Latin *pausare, from Late Latin, to stop, rest, pause, from Latin pausa pause

Verb (2)

short for earlier appose, from Middle English apposen, alteration of opposen to oppose

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1593, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pose was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near pose

Cite this Entry

“Pose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pose. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pose

1 of 2 verb
posed; posing
1
a
: to hold or cause to hold a special position of the body
posed for fashion photographers
b
: to pretend to be what one is not
pose as a soldier
2
: to offer for consideration
posed a question

pose

2 of 2 noun
1
: a position of the body held for a special purpose
2
: a pretended attitude
my cheerfulness was a pose

More from Merriam-Webster on pose

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