pose

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   To create or present something that has to be dealt with, such as a danger, a problem or a question.

   Grammar: Takes an object: pose a threat, pose a question.

   Patterns

   • pose a threat to someone
   • pose a question to someone
   • pose a problem for someone

   The icy roads pose a serious danger to drivers.

   The student posed a question nobody could answer.

   Rising costs pose a challenge for small farms.

2. 2verbintransitive

   To hold your body in a fixed position so that someone can photograph, paint or draw you.

   Grammar: No object; often followed by for or with: pose for a photo.

   Patterns

   • pose for someone
   • pose with something

   The whole family posed for a picture in front of the lake.

   He posed with the trophy while the crowd cheered.

   Models have to pose for hours without moving.

3. 3verbintransitive

   To pretend to be someone or something you are not, usually to deceive people.

   Grammar: Followed by as: pose as a police officer.

   Patterns

   • pose as someone

   A thief posed as a repair worker to get into the building.

   She posed as a customer to test the shop's service.

4. 4nouncountable

   A position of the body held on purpose, for example for a picture or an exercise.

   Grammar: Countable: strike a pose, a yoga pose.

   Patterns

   • strike a pose
   • in a pose

   The statue shows a dancer in a graceful pose.

   She held the yoga pose for a full minute.

   The children struck funny poses for the camera.

Word forms

Common combinations

pose a threat

The new law could pose a threat to local businesses.

pose a question

The interviewer posed a tricky question about taxes.

pose for a photograph

They posed for a photograph outside the town hall.

pose as

The scammer posed as a bank official.

strike a pose

He struck a pose beside his new car.

pose a risk

Skipping the safety check would pose a risk to everyone.

Synonyms and how they differ

present

Present is more neutral and can describe giving anything, while pose in this sense is usually about a problem, risk or question.

raise

Raise is more common for questions and concerns in everyday speech, while pose sounds a little more formal.

sit

Sit is the usual word for an artist's model or portrait subject who holds still, whereas pose can also mean taking a stance for a camera.

impersonate

Impersonate means copying a specific person, while pose as can describe pretending to be any type of person.

Word family

poser noun

a difficult question, or someone who pretends to be something they are not

posture noun

the way you hold your body

position noun

the place or arrangement of something

poseur noun

a person who behaves in a false way to impress

Commonly confused: pose or pause? pose or propose?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “pose”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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