repose
1 Americannoun
-
the state of resting or being at rest; sleep.
-
peace; tranquility; calm.
rare moments of utter repose.
-
dignified calmness, as of manner; composure.
-
absence of movement, animation, etc..
When in repose, her face recalls the Mona Lisa.
verb (used without object)
-
to lie or be at rest, as from work, activity, etc.
-
to lie dead.
His body will repose in the chapel for two days.
-
to be peacefully calm and quiet.
The sea reposed under the tropical sun.
-
to lie or rest on something.
-
Archaic. to depend or rely on a person or thing.
verb (used with object)
verb (used with object)
-
to put (confidence, trust, etc.) in a person or thing.
-
to put under the authority or at the disposal of a person.
-
Archaic. to deposit.
noun
-
a state of quiet restfulness; peace or tranquillity
-
dignified calmness of manner; composure
verb
-
to place (oneself or one's body) in a state of quiet relaxation; lie or lay down at rest
-
(intr) to lie when dead, as in the grave
-
formal (intr; foll by on, in, etc) to take support (from) or be based (on)
your plan reposes on a fallacy
verb
-
to put (trust or confidence) in a person or thing
-
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
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!
Animal Farm
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!
"The Tell-Tale Heart," Vocabulary from the short story
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.
See Examples For:
For more than 25 years, under the name Harriet Tubman, Messrs. Ross, Gibbs and Lewis have crafted a gorgeous balance of bombast and repose, and a distinctive approach to trio interplay.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 4, 2026
And although they recall many wordless moments of repose between takes, the shoot enlivened the actors far more than it exhausted them.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 20, 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
Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.
From BBC ● Apr. 25, 2025
Sam collected pieces of historic automobiles and he was convinced that some day his collection, after making him very rich, would repose on black velvet in the best museums.
From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck
“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
Kumar's comments came after Adani said in a statement late on Sunday that its "strategic and long-term investors have reposed complete faith and confidence in the group".
From Reuters ● Jan. 30, 2023
Passing sentence at Sheffield Crown Court, Judge Richardson said he had "betrayed every ounce of trust reposed in you".
From BBC ● May 10, 2022
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
The shelf on which the cup reposed was out of reach for any of them, even Ron, who was tallest.
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
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
A decrepit-looking vintage bread slicer stands near one of the front windows, reposing on a black-and-white tiled floor.
From New York Times ● Nov. 4, 2012
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
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.
