poster

poster — noun

1. a big printed sheet with words or pictures, fixed up for people to see, either t

1.nounA2
Definition

a big printed sheet with words or pictures, fixed up for people to see, either to decorate a room or to promote something.

Example

Leo taped a band poster above his desk at home.

collocation: band poster

Bright posters outside the station advertised the summer food fair.

advertising use in a public place

Common collocations
  • put up a poster
  • hang a poster
  • movie poster
  • campaign poster
  • sale poster
  • safety poster
Synonyms
  • notice

    focuses more on giving information than on visual design

  • placard

    more formal and often used for public signs or protests

  • sign

    broader word for something displayed for people to read

  • print

    often used for decorative wall art rather than public advertising

Usage Note

Often modified by the topic or purpose, as in movie poster, sale poster, or safety poster. Distinguish from sense 2, which names the person adding content online.

Common Mistakes

I liked your poster on Instagram.
I liked your post on Instagram.
a poster is a printed sheet or the person who uploaded something; the online item itself is a post.

2. a person who adds messages, pictures, or similar material to a website, forum, o

2.nounB2
Definition

a person who adds messages, pictures, or similar material to a website, forum, or social media page.

Example

The first poster in the thread shared clear steps for beginners.

poster in + thread

Several angry posters complained about the ticket rules last night.

Common collocations
  • frequent poster
  • anonymous poster
  • original poster
  • poster in the thread
  • forum poster
Synonyms
  • user

    much broader; not every user writes messages or uploads pictures

  • contributor

    suggests someone who regularly adds useful material

  • commenter

    narrower because it focuses on comments rather than all kinds of posts

  • uploader

    used especially when the main action is adding files, photos, or videos

Antonyms
  • reader

    someone who only reads the content and does not add their own

Grammar Patterns

poster + in/on + thread/forum/page

Usage Note

Usually followed by in or on plus the online place, such as a forum, group, or page. Distinguish from sense 1, which is the printed item on a wall.

Common Mistakes

This poster got 300 likes.
This post got 300 likes.
the person is the poster; the message or picture online is the post.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For noun/1, a poster is usually a large sheet meant to catch the eye on a wall, window, or board. A notice is often more about giving information, so it may look plainer. A placard is more formal and is common in public signs or protest settings. A flyer is usually a smaller sheet handed to people or pushed through doors, not something kept on display for long. A banner is often made of cloth or shown digitally, and it is usually wider than a poster. You might hang a movie poster in your room, read a school notice by the office, and carry a protest placard in a march.

notice ↗placardflyerbanner ↗

Etymology

English

Poster was formed in English from post plus the ending -er. It first named something put up publicly for people to see, such as a printed notice or picture. Later, the same pattern was used for the internet sense, where a poster is the person who puts a message or image online.