pose

1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈpōz 

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 2

verb (2)

posed; posing

transitive verb

: puzzle, baffle

Synonyms of pose

Verb (1)

• suggest
• propose
• offer

Verb (2)

• puzzle
• confuse
• baffle
• perplex
• bewilder

Examples of pose in a Sentence

Verb (1)

posed an interesting question for the visiting astronomer

Verb (2)

utterly posed by the barrage of questions

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Beyond the direct threat posed by drones, Russians are facing growing fuel shortages as Ukraine’s strikes on oil refineries limit supply. —Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 7 June 2026

In an interview with local outlet News On 6, the NICU team was seen encouraging the newborns to smile while ensuring each of the babies were posing for the camera during the photoshoot. —Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026

Meanwhile, Perboni, who posed arm-in-arm with Firth, coordinated with him, wearing a double breasted ankle-grazing black coat dress. —Meg Walters, InStyle, 6 June 2026

Princess Sofia of Spain, Crown Princess Leonor of Spain, Queen Letizia of Spain, Pope Leo XIV and King Felipe VI of Spain pose during a welcome ceremony with His Holiness the Pope Leo XIV in Welcome Ceremony at Royal Palace on June 06, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. —CBS News, 6 June 2026

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

Verb (2)

1605, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pose

• corpse pose
• pose as

Rhymes for pose

• blows
• brose
• chose
• cloze
• cose
• crows
• doughs
• doze
• floes
• flows
• foes
• froze

Kids Definition

pose

1 of 2 verb

ˈpōz 

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