Meaning & use
statue
Last updated
UK/ˈstætʃuː/
US/ˈstætʃuː/
Meaning
nouncountable
A carved or cast figure of a person or animal, usually life-size or larger.
Grammar: Countable; can be used with 'a' or in the plural. Often made of stone, metal, or wood.
Patterns
- a statue of someone
- erect a statue
- a bronze/marble statue
The park has a statue of a famous explorer.
They unveiled a bronze statue in the town square.
The museum displays ancient statues from Greece.
Word forms
| plural | statues |
|---|
Common combinations
- a statue of
- A statue of the founder stands at the entrance.
- erect a statue
- The city plans to erect a statue in his honor.
- bronze statue
- The bronze statue has turned green over time.
- life-size statue
- A life-size statue of the poet sits in the garden.
Synonyms and how they differ
- sculpture
- A broader term for any three-dimensional art object; a statue specifically represents a person or animal.
- figurine
- A small statue, often decorative; a statue is typically larger and more monumental.
- effigy
- A sculpture or model of a person, often used in protest or ritual; 'statue' is neutral and general.
Word family
- statuary noun
- Statues collectively, or the art of making them.
- statuesque adjective
- Like a statue in dignity or beauty, often describing a tall, graceful person.
Commonly confused: statue or statute? statue or stature?
statue vs statute
A written law; 'statue' is a sculpture. They sound similar but have unrelated meanings.
statue vs stature
A person's height or reputation; not a physical object.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
We say 'a statue of someone' to show who is represented. The other prepositions do not fit this meaning.
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