pose

pose — verb

1. to be the source of something unwanted, especially a difficulty, danger, or ques

1.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to be the source of something unwanted, especially a difficulty, danger, or question that must be dealt with

Example

The abandoned factory poses a serious safety risk to children in the neighbourhood.

pose a risk to [someone]

Rising global temperatures pose a direct threat to coastal communities around the world.

pose a threat to [something]

Common collocations
  • pose a threat
  • pose a risk
  • pose a problem
  • pose a danger
  • pose a challenge
  • pose a question
  • pose a difficulty
Synonyms
  • cause

    more general; used with both positive and negative results

  • create

    suggests bringing something new into existence; also neutral in connotation

  • present

    implies making something available or visible, often with a sense of formality

Antonyms
  • prevent

    to stop something from happening or arising

  • remove

    to take away a danger or difficulty that already exists

Grammar Patterns

pose + noun phrase

Usage Note

Object is typically something negative: threat, risk, problem, danger, challenge, or difficulty. This sense cannot be used with positive outcomes — for example, you would not say 'pose an opportunity'.

Common Mistakes

The new policy poses an opportunity for growth.
The new policy presents an opportunity for growth.
'pose' is only used with unwanted or dangerous outcomes, not with positive ones.

2. to put forward a question, query, or topic for discussion or consideration, typi

2.verbtransitiveC2
Definition

to put forward a question, query, or topic for discussion or consideration, typically in a formal or official setting

Example

During the press conference, a journalist posed a sharp question about the new tax policy.

pose a question about [topic]

The professor paused to let the students pose any questions they had about the lecture.

Common collocations
  • pose a question
  • pose a query
  • pose a challenge
  • pose a dilemma
Synonyms
  • ask

    everyday, neutral; can be used in any register

  • raise

    similar level of formality; 'raise a question' suggests introducing a topic for discussion

  • put forward

    phrasal verb; suggests submitting something for consideration

Antonyms
  • answer

    to respond to a question that has been posed

  • withdraw

    to take back a question or proposal

Grammar Patterns

pose + noun phrase (a question / a query / a concern)

Usage Note

More formal than 'ask'. Typically used in official meetings, press conferences, academic seminars, and parliamentary sessions. The object is usually a question, query, or concern, not a person.

Common Mistakes

I posed him about his travel plans.
I posed a question to him about his travel plans.
'pose' always takes the question as its object, not the person being asked.

3. to hold your body in a fixed arrangement so that a photograph can be taken or an

3.verbintransitiveC1
Definition

to hold your body in a fixed arrangement so that a photograph can be taken or an artist can draw, paint, or sculpt you

Example

The bride and groom posed patiently for photographs under the cherry blossom tree.

pose for photographs

Yuna asked the model to pose with her left hand resting lightly on her hip.

Common collocations
  • pose for a photograph
  • pose for a portrait
  • pose for a painter
  • pose in front of
  • pose with
Synonyms
  • model

    more specific to professional fashion or art contexts

  • sit for

    implies remaining still for an extended period, typically for a painted portrait

Grammar Patterns

pose for + noun phrase (photograph / painting / portrait / artist)

Usage Note

Often followed by 'for' to indicate the purpose (photograph, painting) or the person receiving the image (a photographer, a painter). Can also be followed by an adverbial phrase describing how the body is placed.

Common Mistakes

She posed a photo with her friends.
She posed for a photo with her friends.
'pose for' is the correct structure; 'pose a photo' suggests creating a photo, not being its subject.

4. to behave in an insincere or artificial way, trying to appear more knowledgeable

4.verbintransitive
Definition

to behave in an insincere or artificial way, trying to appear more knowledgeable, sophisticated, or important than you really are

Example

At gallery openings Rohan pretends to be an art critic, but everyone knows he is just posing.

just posing — pretending for admiration

Maja talks about philosophy books she has never read, and it is clear she is only posing.

Common collocations
  • pose as
  • just posing
  • only posing
Synonyms
  • pretend

    broader meaning; can be neutral or negative; does not require an audience

  • show off

    informal phrasal verb; focuses on trying to impress others rather than deception

  • put on airs

    idiomatic; suggests behaving in a superior or snobbish way

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

pose as + noun phrase

Usage Note

Often takes 'as' to specify the role being pretended: 'pose as a doctor / an expert / a journalist'. Carries a negative connotation of insincerity. When no role follows, the phrase 'just posing' or 'only posing' is common.

Common Mistakes

He posed to be a doctor.
He posed as a doctor.
'pose as' is the correct pattern; 'pose to be' is ungrammatical.
She is posing an expert on TV.
She is posing as an expert on TV.
The preposition 'as' is required after 'pose' in this sense.

pose — noun

Word family

  • poser
    nounC1
  • posed
    adjectiveC1
  • posing
    nounC1
  • posture
    nounB2
  • position
    nounA2
  • repose
    verbC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Pose' is the most specific of these words: it is used almost exclusively when something unwanted or dangerous comes into existence — a threat, risk, problem, or challenge. 'Cause' is the most general and neutral, covering any result or effect, whether good or bad: a storm can cause damage, but a new policy can cause improvements. 'Create' focuses on bringing something new into being, often with a sense of deliberate effort: an architect creates a design. 'Present' implies making something available or visible, often with an element of formality: the report presents the committee's findings. 'Raise' is narrower in this context, used primarily with questions, doubts, or awareness: the incident raises concerns about safety. For example, heavy traffic poses a danger to cyclists (the danger already exists as a result of the traffic); the same traffic causes delays (a direct effect); creates congestion (brings about a new condition); presents difficulties for emergency vehicles (makes the difficulties visible); and raises questions about road planning (prompts people to ask questions).

pose ↗cause ↗create ↗present ↗raise ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • strike a pose
  • pose a question
  • pose a threat
  • pose a risk
  • pose as
  • hold a pose

Prepositions

Etymology

Anglo-FrenchLatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'pose' entered Middle English through Anglo-French 'poser', which blended two Latin sources: 'pausare' (to stop, rest, or pause) and 'ponere' (to place or put). Over time, the idea of 'stopping and settling into a position' developed into the modern sense of arranging the body for artistic purposes. The meaning 'to put forward a question' emerged later, drawing on the 'place' strand of the word's origin.