noun
Common
stance
stans
Stance (noun) means the way someone stands, including their posture and the position of their feet. Example: “Keep a wide stance and bend your knees before lifting the box.”
noun
1
The way someone stands, including their posture and the position of their feet.
"Keep a wide stance and bend your knees before lifting the box."
"The boxer's stance was low, balanced and ready for the first punch."
"The golfer adjusted his stance before swinging."
2
A position or opinion held on an issue.
"The school has a clear stance on mobile phones in class."
"The senator softened her stance on the new tax bill."
"He took a firm stance against the proposal."
How to use stance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow someone is physically standing, or the position they take on an issue.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
take a stance
firm stance
shooting stance
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Word forms
- Plural
- stances
- Third person singular
- stances
- Past tense
- stanced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Keep a wide _____ and bend your knees before lifting the box.
Etymology
From Old French estance, related to Italian stanza and ultimately to Latin stare, "to stand" — the same root as "stand" and "stanza."
Related words
Rhymes for stance
See all rhymes for stance →Frequently asked questions
What does “stance” mean?
The word “stance” means the way someone stands, including their posture and the position of their feet. In plain terms, how someone is physically standing, or the position they take on an issue.
How do you pronounce “stance”?
“Stance” is pronounced stans (/stæns/ in IPA).
How do you use “stance” in a sentence?
Here is “stance” used in a sentence: “The golfer adjusted his stance before swinging.”
What part of speech is “stance”?
“Stance” is a noun.
Where does the word “stance” come from?
The word “stance” comes from Latin. From Old French estance, related to Italian stanza and ultimately to Latin stare, "to stand" — the same root as "stand" and "stanza.".
Is “stance” a common word?
“Stance” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “stance” have?
“Stance” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the way someone stands, including their posture and the position of their feet.
What is the difference between "take a stance" and "take a stand"?
Both mean to commit publicly to a position on an issue, and they are largely interchangeable. "Take a stand" tends to sound more forceful, suggesting resistance or defence of a principle, while "take a stance" puts the emphasis on the position or attitude adopted. Neither is wrong.
What is the difference between "stance" and "posture"?
"Posture" is the general way you hold your body, especially the back and shoulders, and is often judged good or bad. "Stance" is more specific — the way you stand at a given moment, including the position of your feet. Figuratively, "stance" is the usual word for a position on an issue.
What is the difference between a "stance" and an "opinion"?
An opinion is any belief or judgment you hold, publicly or privately. A stance is a settled, declared position on an issue — deliberate, usually public, and tied to how you intend to act, as in "the party's stance on housing." You can keep an opinion to yourself; taking a stance implies commitment.
Why do sports coaches focus on stance?
In sport, stance means how an athlete stands: posture plus the position of the feet. A balanced, stable stance is the foundation for almost every action — swinging a bat or club, throwing a punch, defending — which is why golf, boxing, cricket, and baseball coaching all treat stance as a fundamental.
