pose
pohz
Pose (verb) means to hold a particular position of the body, often for a photo or painting. Example: “The twins posed on the beach while their father took photos.”
verb
1
To hold a particular position of the body, often for a photo or painting.
"The twins posed on the beach while their father took photos."
"The models posed for the camera on the rooftop."
"He posed proudly next to his new car."
2
To present or create a problem, risk, or question.
"The broken stairs pose a danger to anyone using the building."
"Rising sea levels pose a serious threat to coastal towns."
"The interviewer posed a tricky question about her past."
3
To pretend to be someone or something else, usually to deceive.
"He posed as a plumber to get inside the house."
"She posed as a tourist so nobody would recognise her."
"The scammer posed as a bank representative."
noun
1
A particular position of the body, or an affected, showy manner.
"The yoga teacher showed us a simple pose for stretching the back."
"His casual attitude was just a pose to hide his nerves."
"She struck a dramatic pose for the magazine cover."
How to use pose
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo hold a body position for effect, to present a problem or question, or to falsely pretend to be someone.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "pose a question" (ask) with "pose a threat" (create danger) — same word, different flavor of meaning depending on what follows it.
Common pairings
pose a threat
pose a question
pose as
pose for a photo
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Word forms
- Plural
- poses
- Third person singular
- poses
- Past tense
- posed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The twins _____ on the beach while their father took photos.
Etymology
From Old French poser, "to place or put," ultimately from Latin pausare ("to pause, rest").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for pose
See all rhymes for pose →Frequently asked questions
What does “pose” mean?
The word “pose” means to hold a particular position of the body, often for a photo or painting. In plain terms, to hold a body position for effect, to present a problem or question, or to falsely pretend to be someone.
How do you pronounce “pose”?
“Pose” is pronounced pohz (/poʊz/ in IPA).
How do you use “pose” in a sentence?
Here is “pose” used in a sentence: “The models posed for the camera on the rooftop.”
What part of speech is “pose”?
Depending on how it is used, “pose” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “pose” come from?
The word “pose” comes from Latin. From Old French poser, "to place or put," ultimately from Latin pausare ("to pause, rest").
Is “pose” a common word?
“Pose” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “pose” have?
“Pose” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to hold a particular position of the body, often for a photo or painting.
What is the difference between 'pose a question' and 'ask a question'?
Both mean to put a question forward, but to pose a question sounds more formal and often suggests a weighty, thought-provoking, or challenging one. "Ask" is the plainer, everyday choice for ordinary questions.
When do you use pose to mean 'present a problem'?
Pose is used this way when something creates or raises a difficulty, risk, or question, as in "the storm poses a threat" or "this poses a problem." Here it does not involve the body at all; it means to give rise to something that must be dealt with.
What are common collocations with pose?
In the body sense, you pose for a photo, painting, or portrait. In the abstract sense, something can pose a threat, pose a risk, pose a problem, pose a challenge, or pose a question.
