posture
POST-shuh
Posture (noun) means the way someone holds and positions their body, especially while sitting or standing. Example: “Sitting all day at a desk can ruin your posture.”
noun
1
The way someone holds and positions their body, especially while sitting or standing.
"Sitting all day at a desk can ruin your posture."
"The yoga instructor reminded us to keep good posture."
"The physiotherapist said my bad posture was causing the pain in my neck."
2
A person's stance or attitude toward an issue.
"The government softened its posture on trade tariffs."
"The company took a cautious posture towards the new rules."
"Her posture on homework is simple: finish it before you play."
verb
1
To behave in a way meant to impress or intimidate, without real substance behind it.
"Politicians were accused of posturing rather than solving the problem."
"He kept posturing in front of his friends but never actually did anything."
"Stop posturing and tell us what you really think."
How to use posture
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow you hold your body, or (as a verb) putting on an act to look tough or serious.
Common pairings
good posture
poor posture
political posture
posture for effect
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Word forms
- Plural
- postures
- Third person singular
- postures
- Past tense
- postured
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Sitting all day at a desk can ruin your _____.
Etymology
From Middle French posture, from Italian postura, from Latin positura ('position').
Related words
Rhymes for posture
See all rhymes for posture →Frequently asked questions
What does “posture” mean?
The word “posture” means the way someone holds and positions their body, especially while sitting or standing. In plain terms, how you hold your body, or (as a verb) putting on an act to look tough or serious.
How do you pronounce “posture”?
“Posture” is pronounced POST-shuh (/ˈpɑst͡ʃɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “posture” in a sentence?
Here is “posture” used in a sentence: “Sitting all day at a desk can ruin your posture.”
What part of speech is “posture”?
Depending on how it is used, “posture” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “posture” come from?
The word “posture” comes from Latin. From Middle French posture, from Italian postura, from Latin positura ('position').
Is “posture” a common word?
“Posture” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “posture” have?
“Posture” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the way someone holds and positions their body, especially while sitting or standing.
What is the difference between "posture" as body position and "posture" as attitude?
As a noun, posture can mean the physical way someone holds and positions their body, such as sitting up straight, or figuratively a person's stance or attitude toward an issue, such as a country's posture on trade. Context makes clear whether the physical or figurative sense is meant.
What does it mean when someone is said to "posture"?
Used as a verb, to posture means to behave in a way meant to impress or intimidate without real substance behind it, often implying the behavior is more show than substance. This is distinct from simply "having good posture," which refers to physical body position.
Is "posturing" always negative?
Yes, the verb sense of posture carries a critical tone, implying performative or empty behavior meant to project strength or confidence rather than reflecting genuine conviction or ability.
