What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
posture
Example
She has excellent posture when she sits at her desk. [posture: noun]
Example
The dance instructor emphasized the importance of good posture during class. [posture: adjective]
stance
Example
The boxer took a defensive stance before the match began. [stance: noun]
Example
The politician's stance on immigration was controversial. [stance: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Posture is more commonly used than stance in everyday language, especially in the context of physical health and ergonomics. Stance is more specialized and tends to be used in specific contexts such as sports, politics, or social issues.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between posture and stance?
Both posture and stance can be used in formal and informal contexts, but posture is generally considered to be more neutral and less confrontational than stance, which can have a more assertive or aggressive connotation depending on the context.