pose
gb/pˈoʊz/ us/pˈoʊz/
A2
English
~ 2900
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Adopt a position for effect
To stand, sit, or hold your body in a certain way so someone can take a picture or paint you.
Usage pattern:
to pose for [a photograph/painting]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'pose' with 'pause'; 'pause' means to stop briefly, not to take a position.
Synonyms
position oneself (More neutral and general; does not imply artistic or photographic context.)
Antonyms
move (Opposite in that it implies not staying still in a set position.)
Collocations
pose for a photo
|pose for the camera
|pose for a portrait
|pose gracefully
Themes
art
|photography
|performance
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Examples
- She posed for the wedding photographer in front of the church.
- The model posed elegantly on the runway.
- He posed with his award for the press photos.
- They posed together for a family portrait.
Learner examples
- She posed for the camera.
- The artist asked him to pose.
- We posed with the big sign.
- He posed in front of the shop.
Verb
B1
action
2
Present or cause a problem
To cause a problem, danger, or question to happen or exist.
Usage pattern:
to pose [a threat/problem/question]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with the physical 'pose' meaning; here it is abstract and about creating situations, not body positions.
Synonyms
present (Neutral synonym often used in formal contexts; less vivid than 'pose'.)
Antonyms
solve (Opposite in that it removes the problem rather than creating it.)
Collocations
pose a threat
|pose a risk
|pose a challenge
|pose a question
Themes
business
|safety
|discussion
|core_vocabulary
|work
Examples
- Climate change poses serious risks to coastal cities.
- The new policy poses several challenges for small businesses.
- This question poses difficulties for even the best students.
- His behavior poses a threat to the team's success.
Learner examples
- Smoking poses health risks.
- This work poses many problems.
- The game poses a big challenge.
- The teacher posed a hard question.
Verb
B2
action
3
Pretend to be someone else
To act like you are another person so you can trick people.
Usage pattern:
to pose as [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'pose as' with 'pose for'; 'pose as' means pretending to be someone else, not standing for a picture.
Synonyms
impersonate (More formal; specifically refers to pretending to be another person.)
Antonyms
identify oneself (Opposite in that you truthfully state who you are.)
Collocations
pose as a police officer
|pose as a customer
|pose as an official
Themes
crime
|deception
|communication
|law
Examples
- The thief posed as a delivery driver to enter the building.
- She posed as a journalist to get the interview.
- Scammers often pose as bank employees over the phone.
Learner examples
- He posed as a doctor.
- The man posed as a teacher.
- They posed as police officers.
- She posed as my friend to get information.
Noun
A2
entity
4
A bodily position for art or photos
A way you hold your body for a photo or painting.
Synonyms
stance (Refers more generally to how someone stands; not necessarily artistic.)
Antonyms
movement (Opposite in that it implies action rather than holding still.)
Collocations
strike a pose
|hold a pose
|adopt a pose
Themes
art
|photography
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Examples
- The dancer struck an impressive pose on stage.
- He held the pose while the photographer adjusted the lights.
- Her pose suggested confidence and grace.
Learner examples
- She made a funny pose.
- He held the pose for one minute.
- The model's pose was beautiful.
- We took turns making poses.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pose
IPA
GB/pˈoʊz/
US/pˈoʊz/
Syllables & stress
pose (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (pose)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: pose
- Plural: poses
Verb
- Base: pose
- 3rd Person Singular: poses
- Present Participle: posing
- Past: posed
Word family
Forms
poses
noun
posing
verb
posed
verb
Related words
poser
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unposed
adjective
Advanced or less common
poseur
noun
Expressions
pose a question
1/pˈoʊz ə kwˈɛst͡ʃən/
fixed phrase
Present a question for answering
To ask a question in a formal or careful way.
Examples
- During the meeting, she posed an important question about funding.
- The teacher posed several questions to the class.
pose as [someone]
1/pˈoʊz ˈæz sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
Pretend to be another person
To act like you are another person so you can trick people.
Examples
- The criminal posed as a police officer.
- Hackers sometimes pose as trusted contacts online.
strike a pose
1/stɹˈaɪk ə pˈoʊz/
idiom
Take an intentional posture
To put your body in a special way for a photo or to look good.
Examples
- She struck a pose for the magazine cover.
- The children laughed as they struck silly poses for the camera.
pose a threat
1/pˈoʊz ə θɹˈɛt/
fixed phrase
Create danger or risk
To cause danger or risk to someone or something.
Examples
- Rising sea levels pose a threat to island nations.
- The virus poses a serious threat to public health.
pose a threat
2/pˈoʊz ə θɹˈɛt/
fixed phrase
Create risk of harm or loss
To be dangerous or cause possible harm.
Examples
- These chemicals pose a serious threat to human health.
- Rising sea levels pose a threat to coastal cities.