Stance

Definition

Stance refers to the way in which someone stands, especially when deliberately adopted (as in baseball, golf, and other sports); a person’s posture. It also denotes a person's attitude or position on a particular issue.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /stæns/
• Respelling: STANS (with "STANS" rhyming with "dans" and "cans")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /stæns/
• Respelling: STANS (similar to American English, with "STANS" rhyming with "dans" and "cans")

In both dialects, "stance" is pronounced with a short "a" sound, as in "dans" or "cans." The pronunciation of "stance" is consistent between American and British English, reflecting the word's simple and direct phonetic structure.

Etymology

The word "stance" is derived from the Old French word "stance," from Italian "stanza" which means 'room, standing place,' from Vulgar Latin *stantia, from Latin stans, from the verb "stare" which means 'to stand.'

Derivatives

• Stancer
• Re-stance
• Unstance
• Stanced
• Stancing

Synonyms

• Position
• Posture
• Attitude

Antonyms

• None

Usage

The term "stance" is commonly used to describe a physical position, particularly in sports, or a mental or philosophical position on issues or topics.

Related Terms

• Posture
• Position
• Attitude
• Standing

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Physical Posture: A manner of standing or being placed. Stance is often used to describe the position of the feet and body adopted when preparing to play a stroke or shot in sports.
• Example: "The golfer assumed a wide stance before swinging at the ball."

• Attitudinal Position: A mental or emotional position adopted with respect to something; a point of view.
• Example: "His stance on the issue of immigration reform was well known."