pose

1 of 3

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 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

transitive verb

: puzzle, baffle

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• advance
• bounce
• offer
• proffer
• propose
• propound
• suggest
• vote

Noun

• act
• airs
• charade
• disguise
• facade
• façade
• front
• guise
• masquerade
• playacting
• pretense
• pretence
• put-on
• semblance
• show

Verb (2)

• addle
• baffle
• bamboozle
• beat
• befog
• befuddle
• bemuse
• bewilder
• buffalo
• confound
• confuse
• discombobulate
• disorient
• flummox
• fox
• fuddle
• get
• gravel
• maze
• muddle
• muddy
• mystify
• perplex
• puzzle
• vex

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

The long-term effects of microgravity on cells could also pose a problem. —Alexis Guerrero, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2024

Now, Grants Pass v. Johnson poses a challenge to both appeals court decisions. —Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 22 Apr. 2024

The war in Gaza and the Palestinian issue more broadly pose the biggest barrier to expanding Israel’s regional ties and creating a more cohesive pro-U.S., anti-Iranian regional alliance. —Alex Lederman, TIME, 22 Apr. 2024

In this sweet family photo at the premiere of Just the Ticket, Andie MacDowell and Paul Qualley pose with young daughters Rainey and Margaret Qualley. —Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 21 Apr. 2024

Photo : Sinna Nasseri Courtside Flicks Burnie, the Heat’s seven-foot-tall mascot, poses with fans courtside. —John Vorwald, Robb Report, 20 Apr. 2024

The popular app has faced scrutiny over its Chinese control which lawmakers say poses a national security threat. —Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024

Be sure the crib is not anywhere near a cord, including a baby monitor cord, a window cord, or any type of loose object that could pose a strangulation risk. —Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 19 Apr. 2024

Both posed for photos on the red carpet at the event, with Tallulah wearing yellow and black — a nod to the color of Willis' boxing robe, as seen in Tarantino's film — as well as a black hat with her father's name, Bruce, embroidered on the front. —EW.com, 19 Apr. 2024

Noun

Andria Ho and her friends giggle and strike silly poses early on a Sunday morning as a professional photographer captures the moment. —Lianne Carla Catbagan, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024

The rectangular frame is mature, classic, and trendy, prompting one of our preteens to strike a pose upon immediately trying them on. —Staff Author, Parents, 13 Apr. 2024

As the mood shifts, a noodling electric guitar kicks in and the gang unconsciously assembles into poses that could be on a grunge album cover. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024

Alongside the photo was a more recent one with the couple reenacting the same poses. —Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024

Tap into our favorite tips on poses, lighting, and inspiration for the best style photos for your fashion blog. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 10 Apr. 2024

Park ambled over, hands behind his back in an avuncular pose. —Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024

After killing them, Alcala placed their bodies in grotesque poses, sometimes photographing them. —Christine Pelisek, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024

The dancing is hers, all hers, as she singer spends her full 90 minutes on stage striking poses and being moved by the music in programmatic but viscerally engaging ways. —Chris Willman, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024

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

Phrases Containing pose

• corpse pose
• pose as

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