# poser

/ˈpoʊzɝ/ (US) · /pˈəʊzɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/poser
Updated: 2026-10-17

## Definition

someone who pretends to be something cool to impress other people, but does not really live that way. You use it for a person who copies the clothes or talk without the real interest behind it.

For teachers: a person who adopts a pose, style, or identity to impress others without genuine commitment or knowledge. Often used as a term of contempt within youth subcultures to mark inauthentic membership.

## Examples

- He acts like a skater but he is a poser.
- She calls him a poser because he wears the band shirt but knows none of the songs.
- The novel portrays him not as a rebel but as a poser who borrows the language of protest without understanding its cost.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.