A1 noun Neutral

posture

/ˈpɒs.tʃə/

Posture is the way you hold your body when you sit, stand, or move. In art, it describes how a person's body is positioned in a painting or sculpture to show a feeling or style.

Examples

3 of 5
1

He has good posture when he sits at the desk.

He has good posture when he sits at the desk.

2

The museum guide spoke about the elegant posture of the statue.

The museum guide spoke about the elegant posture of the statue.

3

Stop slouching and fix your posture!

Stop slouching and fix your posture!

Word Family

Noun
posture
Verb
posture
Adverb
posturally
Adjective
postural
Related
posturing
💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'Post'—a post stands straight and tall, just like good posture.

Quick Quiz

The artist asked the model to sit with a straight ____ so he could draw the back.

Correct!

The correct answer is: posture

Examples

1

He has good posture when he sits at the desk.

everyday

He has good posture when he sits at the desk.

2

The museum guide spoke about the elegant posture of the statue.

formal

The museum guide spoke about the elegant posture of the statue.

3

Stop slouching and fix your posture!

informal

Stop slouching and fix your posture!

4

The artist examined the subject's posture to understand the human form.

academic

The artist examined the subject's posture to understand the human form.

5

A professional posture helps you look confident in meetings.

business

A professional posture helps you look confident in meetings.

Word Family

Noun
posture
Verb
posture
Adverb
posturally
Adjective
postural
Related
posturing

Common Collocations

good posture good posture
bad posture bad posture
sitting posture sitting posture
maintain posture maintain posture
upright posture upright posture

Common Phrases

correct your posture

correct your posture

adopt a posture

adopt a posture

strike a posture

strike a posture

Often Confused With

posture vs pose

A pose is usually a temporary position held for a photo or painting, while posture is the general way someone holds their body.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'posture' when talking about health or the physical way someone carries themselves. In art, use it to describe the mood or character shown through the body's alignment.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often say 'do a posture' instead of the correct verb 'have' or 'keep' good posture.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'Post'—a post stands straight and tall, just like good posture.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin word 'positura', which means 'position' or 'arrangement'.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun Usually used with verbs like 'have', 'improve', or 'maintain' Commonly modified by adjectives like 'good', 'bad', or 'poor'
🌍

Cultural Context

In many Western cultures, an upright posture is seen as a sign of confidence and health.

Quick Quiz

The artist asked the model to sit with a straight ____ so he could draw the back.

Correct!

The correct answer is: posture

More art words

painting

A1

A painting is a picture that someone makes using paint. It is usually created on a surface like paper or canvas and is considered a piece of art.

sculpture

A1

A sculpture is a three-dimensional piece of art made by shaping or carving materials like stone, wood, metal, or clay. Unlike a painting, you can walk around a sculpture and see it from many different angles.

sketch

A1

A simple drawing that is done quickly and without many details. It is often used as a rough draft or a plan for a more finished piece of art.

portrait

A1

A portrait is a painting, drawing, or photograph of a person, usually focusing on the face and shoulders. It is created to show what the person looks like and often to express their personality.

landscape

A1

A landscape is a painting, photograph, or view of a wide area of land. In art, it usually shows natural scenes like mountains, trees, and rivers instead of people.

still life

A1

A still life is a type of art, such as a painting or photograph, that shows objects that do not move. Common subjects include everyday items like fruit, flowers, bottles, or bowls.

cubism

A1

Cubism is a style of modern art that shows objects and people as simple geometric shapes like cubes, triangles, and circles. Instead of looking realistic from one side, the art shows the subject from many different angles at the same time.

surrealism

A1

Surrealism is a style of art and literature that mixes real objects in strange or impossible ways, like in a dream. It aims to show the power of the imagination and the hidden thoughts of the mind.

contemporary art

A1

Contemporary art is art produced at the present period in time. It includes works made by artists living today and reflects the issues of our modern world.

easel

A1

An easel is a wooden or metal frame that stands on three legs. It is used to hold a canvas or a board while an artist is painting or drawing on it.

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