Poser: meaning, definitions and examples

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poser

[ˈpəʊzər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

inquiry

A person who poses a question or problem to be considered.

Synonyms

inquirer, interrogator, questioner.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
poser	Often used negatively to describe someone who is pretending to be something they are not, often to gain attention or admiration. Everyone could tell he was just a poser, trying to impress the new group with fake stories
questioner	A more general term for someone who asks questions, and can be used in both casual and formal settings. During the debate, the questioner raised some important issues that needed to be addressed
inquirer	Used when referring to someone who is seeking information or asking questions in a formal or investigative way. The scholar was an avid inquirer, always looking for new facts to expand his research
interrogator	Used in serious or formal settings, such as law enforcement or military, where someone is questioning another person in a thorough and often intense manner. The detective acted as the main interrogator, asking the suspect a series of detailed questions

Examples of usage

He is a regular poser, always coming up with challenging questions.
I don't have an answer for that, you'll have to ask the poser.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

photography

A person who poses for a photograph or a work of art.

Synonyms

model, sitter, subject.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
poser	Used often in a derogatory sense to describe someone pretending to be something they are not, especially in fashion or social settings. John acts like he's a punk rocker, but he's just a poser. All those posers at the party were trying too hard to impress.
model	Refers to a person who poses for photographs, artworks, or fashion shows professionally. She works as a model for several famous fashion brands. The artist hired a model to pose for his painting.
subject	Describes the main focus of a photograph, artwork, or discussion. Not limited to people, can refer to objects or themes as well. The main subject of the photograph is a blooming flower. In his latest painting, the artist chose a rural landscape as his subject.
sitter	Commonly used to describe an individual who poses for a portrait, often in the context of traditional art. The sitter maintained a relaxed pose for the entire session. She was a well-known sitter for many famous portrait artists.

Examples of usage

The model was a natural poser, effortlessly striking different poses.
The artist asked the poser to hold still for a few more minutes.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term 'poser' derives from the French word 'poser', meaning 'to pose' or 'to place'.
The word entered English in the 1960s and started being used to describe someone pretending to be cool or important.
Originally, 'poser' referred to artists who posed models for paintings but evolved into its current meaning.

Pop Culture

In the 1990s, 'poser' became popular in skate, punk, and grunge communities to label those trying to fit in without embracing the lifestyle.
Movies like 'Clueless' and 'Mean Girls' have popularized the concept of posers, showcasing characters pretending to fit into social groups.
The term often appears in music, notably in punk rock lyrics, criticizing superficial behavior in youth culture.

Psychology

People often adopt posers’ behaviors to gain social acceptance or avoid feeling excluded from a group.
Social identity theory suggests that individuals create their self-image based on group membership, leading some to act inauthentically.
Psychological studies show that posers can sometimes face identity crises as they struggle to balance real self versus presented persona.

Literature

In classic literature, characters often disguise their true identities, becoming posers to achieve personal goals, like in Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night'.
Modern novels frequently explore themes of authenticity versus inauthenticity, with ‘posers’ representing societal pressures.
The concept of posing is prevalent in modern young adult fiction, emphasizing peer pressure and the quest for self-discovery.

Technology

Online personas can often lead to 'poser' behaviors, as social media allows individuals to curate their images to appear more attractive or popular.
Influencer culture has given rise to a new type of poser, where individuals often showcase a lifestyle that may not reflect reality.
The rise of virtual reality has blurred lines between real identities and posed identities, further complicating the definitions of authenticity.

Translations

Translations of the word "poser" in other languages:

🇵🇹 posar

🇮🇳 पोज़ देना

🇩🇪 posieren

🇮🇩 berpose

🇺🇦 позувати

🇵🇱 pozować

🇯🇵 ポーズをとる

🇫🇷 poser

🇪🇸 posar

🇹🇷 poz vermek

🇰🇷 포즈를 취하다

🇸🇦 يتخذ وضعية

🇨🇿 pozovat

🇸🇰 pózovať

🇨🇳 摆姿势

🇸🇮 pozirati

🇮🇸 stilla

🇰🇿 поза қою

🇬🇪 დაყენება

🇦🇿 poz vermək

🇲🇽 posar

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,380 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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34377 upholstering
34378 unblocked
34379 deriding
34380 poser
34381 guzzling
34382 dislocating
34383 commendably
...