repose

¹ American  

[ri-pohz] / rɪˈpoʊz /

noun

1. the state of resting or being at rest; sleep.

2. peace; tranquility; calm.

   rare moments of utter repose.

3. dignified calmness, as of manner; composure.

4. absence of movement, animation, etc..

   When in repose, her face recalls the Mona Lisa.

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verb (used without object)

reposed, reposing

1. to lie or be at rest, as from work, activity, etc.

2. to lie dead.

   His body will repose in the chapel for two days.

3. to be peacefully calm and quiet.

   The sea reposed under the tropical sun.

4. to lie or rest on something.

5. Archaic. to depend or rely on a person or thing.

verb (used with object)

reposed, reposing

1. to lay at rest; rest; refresh by rest (often used reflexively).

repose ² American  

[ri-pohz] / rɪˈpoʊz /

verb (used with object)

reposed, reposing

1. to put (confidence, trust, etc.) in a person or thing.

2. to put under the authority or at the disposal of a person.

3. Archaic. to deposit.

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repose ¹ British  

/ rɪˈpəʊz /

noun

1. a state of quiet restfulness; peace or tranquillity

2. dignified calmness of manner; composure

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verb

1. to place (oneself or one's body) in a state of quiet relaxation; lie or lay down at rest

2. (intr) to lie when dead, as in the grave

3. formal (intr; foll by on, in, etc) to take support (from) or be based (on)

   your plan reposes on a fallacy

repose ² British  

/ rɪˈpəʊz /

verb

1. to put (trust or confidence) in a person or thing

2. to place or put (an object) somewhere

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Other Word Forms

• reposal noun
• reposedly adverb
• reposedness noun
• reposeful adjective
• reposefully adverb
• reposefulness noun
• reposer noun

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; re-, pose ¹

Example Sentences

When our granddaughter Raleigh, then 2, met Doc, he was in his bed in the kitchen, one of his five places of repose around our house.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

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

Water can be used to dampen and repose the body and paint can be removed or retouched.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2025

It was the best Abel had ever done, a perfect representation of stupefied repose.

From "Abel's Island" by William Steig

Related Words

• inactivity
• stillness