stature
Americannoun
-
the height of a human or animal body.
-
the height of any object.
-
degree of development attained; level of achievement.
a minister of great stature.
noun
-
the height of something, esp a person or animal when standing
-
the degree of development of a person
the stature of a champion
-
intellectual or moral greatness
a man of stature
Etymology
Origin of stature
1250–1300; Middle English < Old French estature < Latin statūra, equivalent to stat ( us ) past participle of stāre to stand + -ūra -ure
Explanation
Stature can refer to a person's height or the high level of respect with which she is regarded. Your grandmother might be small in stature, or height, but have great stature, or esteem, in her community. Stature comes from the Latin word statura, meaning "height, size of body, growth," but today, it also means "a high level of respect gained by achievement." For example, after you win a Nobel Prize, your new stature will bring new fans, more sales of your book, invitations to many exclusive dinner parties, and maybe even your picture on magazine covers all over the world.
Vocabulary lists containing stature
Boy: Tales of Childhood
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Bless Me, Ultima
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Purple Hibiscus
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Stature is a physical quality, but, more important, it is a human and moral quality.
From New York Times • Mar. 19, 2022
But that’s the thing about an icon: Stature is established but meaning can get stuck like a fly in amber.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2022
Stature and demeanor and raw talent rarely combine as they have in Giolito, who Baseball America and MLB.com agree is the top right-handed pitching prospect in the sport.
From Washington Post • Mar. 21, 2016
Even more importantly, whatever you do, *never* acknowledge the fact that protests, petitions, and social media comments critiquing the Person of Stature also constitute acts of free speech.
From Salon • Nov. 13, 2015
Stature, at times tall, at times regular; skin and eyes, black; all the others are regular,” said the Visayan.
From Friars and Filipinos An Abridged Translation of Dr. Jose Rizal's Tagalog Novel, 'Noli Me Tangere.' by Rizal, José
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
