noun
Uncommon
stature
STACH-uh
Stature (noun) means a person or animal's natural height when standing upright. Example: “Despite his short stature, he was a dominant force on the basketball court.”
noun
1
A person or animal's natural height when standing upright.
"Despite his short stature, he was a dominant force on the basketball court."
"The jockey's small stature is an advantage in horse racing."
2
The level of respect or importance someone has earned through their achievements or reputation.
"Her stature in the scientific community grew after the discovery was confirmed."
"Winning the award raised his stature within the company."
How to use stature
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither your physical height, or the level of respect and standing you've earned.
Common mistake
Most modern use is figurative — "a person of great stature" almost always means respected or important, not literally tall.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
grow in stature
a person of stature
small in stature
international stature
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Word forms
- Plural
- statures
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Despite his short _____, he was a dominant force on the basketball court.
Etymology
From Old French stature, going back to Latin statura, "height, size" — from the same root as "stand" and "status."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for stature
See all rhymes for stature →Frequently asked questions
What does “stature” mean?
The word “stature” means a person or animal's natural height when standing upright. In plain terms, either your physical height, or the level of respect and standing you've earned.
How do you pronounce “stature”?
“Stature” is pronounced STACH-uh (/ˈstæt͡ʃ.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “stature” in a sentence?
Here is “stature” used in a sentence: “Despite his short stature, he was a dominant force on the basketball court.”
What part of speech is “stature”?
“Stature” is a noun.
Where does the word “stature” come from?
The word “stature” comes from Latin. From Old French stature, going back to Latin statura, "height, size" — from the same root as "stand" and "status.".
Is “stature” a common word?
“Stature” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “stature” have?
“Stature” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person or animal's natural height when standing upright.
