repose

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "repose" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that refers to a state of being relaxed and free from stress or tension. You can use it when trying to describe a state of rest or relaxation. Example sentence: After a long day of work, she found repose in her cozy armchair.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not that repose was Turner's thing (there are more than 20,000 works in the Tate's Clore collection alone).

The Guardian - Film

Mr Turner is the outstanding result, a film that introduces the painter as a portly fellow with a top hat and a curmudgeonly expression in repose.

The Guardian - Film

For example, Nick Cave and fellow Bad Seed Warren Ellis have been spotted eating lunch here, while noise-rocker Bradford Cox (vocalist for Deerhunter) and instrumental experimentalists Explosions in the Sky have also been seen loitering in fashionably cool repose.

The Guardian - Travel

There's a delicacy, indeed femininity, about the way his dark hair hangs around his pale, intense face; in repose there are times when he resembles Leonardo Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa".

The Guardian - Music

Here, shrouded in mystique and ancient trees, the 'Towers of Silence', or dakhma, repose in the 300-year-old Doongerwadi, the garden on the hill.

The Guardian

IF YOU pull up the Kindle edition of Edward Pusey's 19th-century translation of "The Confessions of St. Augustine", you will notice, under the wordsThou awakest us to delight in Thy praise, for Thou madest us for Thyself and our heart is restless, until it repose in Thee.a grey dotted line that reads "4 highlighters".

The Economist

Mr Hansard is touring America to promote his first solo album, "Rhythm and Repose".

The Economist

The "Chalice of Repose" project in Missoula, Montana, offers live music to those in the last stages of terminal illness, often cancer.

The Economist

He wanted "anyone tired, worn down, driven to the limits of endurance, to find calm and repose" in his art.

The Economist

"WE RESOLVE to be the party, not of repose, but of reform.

The Economist

He began by borrowing widely from the masters before him, incorporating their influences (and often tempering their bawdiness) in his unparalleled compositions of stillness and repose.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "repose" to evoke a sense of stillness, peace, or dignified rest. It often adds a touch of formality or elegance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "repose" interchangeably with simpler terms like "rest" or "sleep" in contexts where the nuance of peace, dignity, or a temporary lull is important. "Repose" carries a specific connotation that may be lost with more general terms.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "repose" is as a noun, referring to a state of rest, sleep, or tranquility. It can also function as a verb, meaning to lie at rest or to place something. As confirmed by Ludwig, the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

25%

News & Media

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "repose" functions primarily as a noun indicating a state of rest or tranquility, but it can also be used as a verb. As indicated by Ludwig, it is a valid and frequently used word in English. Its usage tends to be more formal and scientific, often appearing in encyclopedias and news media. When using "repose", consider its nuanced meaning, which suggests a dignified or peaceful state, and avoid substituting it with simpler terms if that nuance is important. Related phrases include "restfulness", "calmness", and "tranquility", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

state of rest

Emphasizes the condition of being at rest, either physically or mentally.

restfulness

Focuses more on the quality of being restful.

peacefulness

Highlights the absence of disturbance or conflict.

calmness

Highlights the peaceful and undisturbed nature of the state.

relaxation

Focuses on the process of becoming less tense and more comfortable.

tranquility

Suggests a serene and peaceful state, often undisturbed by external factors.

serenity

Implies a state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled.

lying undisturbed

Emphasizes both the act of lying and the absence of any disturbance.

in a lying position

Focuses specifically on the physical aspect of lying down.

recumbency

Refers specifically to the state of lying down or reclining.

FAQs

How can I use "repose" in a sentence?

You can use "repose" to describe a state of rest or calmness, as in "The painting depicted a figure in peaceful repose". It can also refer to the period between volcanic eruptions.

What are some synonyms for "repose"?

Alternatives to "repose" include "restfulness", "calmness", "tranquility", or "serenity", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a state of repose"?

Yes, "a state of repose" is a correct and commonly used phrase. It emphasizes the condition of being in a state of rest or tranquility.

What's the difference between "repose" and "rest"?

"Repose" often suggests a more dignified, peaceful, or temporary state of rest compared to the general term "rest". "Repose" may also imply a formal or artistic context.