repose
1 Americannoun
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the state of resting or being at rest; sleep.
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peace; tranquility; calm.
rare moments of utter repose.
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dignified calmness, as of manner; composure.
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absence of movement, animation, etc..
When in repose, her face recalls the Mona Lisa.
verb (used without object)
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to lie or be at rest, as from work, activity, etc.
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to lie dead.
His body will repose in the chapel for two days.
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to be peacefully calm and quiet.
The sea reposed under the tropical sun.
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to lie or rest on something.
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Archaic. to depend or rely on a person or thing.
verb (used with object)
verb (used with object)
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to put (confidence, trust, etc.) in a person or thing.
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to put under the authority or at the disposal of a person.
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Archaic. to deposit.
noun
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a state of quiet restfulness; peace or tranquillity
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dignified calmness of manner; composure
verb
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to place (oneself or one's body) in a state of quiet relaxation; lie or lay down at rest
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(intr) to lie when dead, as in the grave
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formal (intr; foll by on, in, etc) to take support (from) or be based (on)
your plan reposes on a fallacy
verb
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to put (trust or confidence) in a person or thing
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to place or put (an object) somewhere
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of repose1
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English verb reposen, from Middle French reposer, Old French, from Late Latin repausāre, equivalent to Latin re- re- + Late Latin pausāre “to rest” (derivative of Latin pausa pause )
Origin of repose2
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English reposen “to replace,” influenced by Latin reposuisse “to have put back,” perfect infinitive of repōnere; see re-, pose 1
Explanation
Repose is a formal or literary term used to mean the act of resting, or the state of being at rest. Repose is also a state of mind: freedom from worry. As a verb, repose means to rest or relax, or to rest on something for support: "There she was, reposing on the front porch." The verb is from Middle English, from Old French reposer, from Late Latin repausāre, "to cause to rest," from the Latin prefix re-, "again," plus pausāre, "to rest."
Vocabulary lists containing repose
The Great Gatsby
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Animal Farm
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"The Tell-Tale Heart," Vocabulary from the short story
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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.
See Examples For:
A moral universe in which I can meaningfully tell my beads for the repose of the souls of departed friends and family.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2025
They will lie in repose together in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Ms Whyte's home village of Barefield from 15:00 until 19:00 BST.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2025
While her maybe-beau stays forced in repose, Iris cycles through all the different types of women she could be.
From Salon ● Jul. 25, 2025
Castlecore on Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram produces visions of leisure and comfort, a place for a pseudo-medieval 21st-century lady to repose.
From Slate ● Feb. 21, 2025
Perhaps in the repose of their dreams, their daughter is different, a responsible girl instead of one who sneaks out.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
"I was so touched by the trust he reposed in me," he told the BBC.
From BBC ● Jun. 3, 2026
“She expressed a desire to vote and told me a little about her philanthropic work. She reposed great faith and confidence in Mr. Leno and relied on him for her protection and guidance.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 2, 2024
"I am humbled by the overwhelming vote of confidence reposed in me by the party," Mahama said shortly after the declaration.
From Reuters ● May 14, 2023
Rehnquist wrote that the “controversy . . . involves a political question” and that “the word ‘sole’ indicates that this authority is reposed in the Senate and nowhere else.”
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 9, 2021
Resting my head on Helen’s shoulder, I put my arms round her waist; she drew me to her, and we reposed in silence.
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
Monday’s trek rolled serenely past the Zenaruzza monastery and through hilly countryside under reposing blue skies, before crossing over into France.
From Washington Times ● Jul. 3, 2023
BJP workers celebrated the party’s showing in Gujarat state with the state’s top elected official, Bhupendra Patel, describing the win as “people reposing full faith in Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.”
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 8, 2022
Mr Rao said India reposing its faith in the Quad was significant.
From BBC ● Apr. 12, 2022
Now mourners had to move through reposing rooms in shifts, one small group at a time.
From New York Times ● Apr. 4, 2020
A first photograph, somewhat overexposed, is taken by Dr. Gupta that broiling hot, late summer’s day: Gogol, an indistinct blanketed mass, reposing in his weary mother’s arms.
From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
