kouros
Low (Specialized)Academic / Art Historical
Definition
Meaning
A type of statue representing a standing male youth, used as a votive offering or grave marker in ancient Greece, especially during the Archaic period.
In art history and archaeology, the term 'kouros' specifically refers to the standardized representation of an idealized nude young man with one foot forward, arms at sides, and an expression known as the 'Archaic smile'. The female counterpart is called a 'kore'.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is singular; plural is 'kouroi'. It refers exclusively to Archaic Greek sculpture (c. 650–480 BCE) and is not used for later male figures. It signifies a specific artistic genre and period.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No difference in meaning or usage. Both follow the same academic conventions.
Connotations
Specialized academic/art history term with no regional variation in connotation.
Frequency
Exclusively used in academic, museum, and archaeological contexts in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [Adjective] kouros [Verb]...A kouros dating from [Period]The kouros is made of [Material].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not applicable”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Primary context. Used in art history, archaeology, and classical studies lectures, papers, and museum descriptions.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Specific technical term in art history and archaeology for classifying sculpture.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as an adjective. Use 'kouros-type' or 'kouros-like'.
American English
- Not applicable as an adjective. Use 'kouros-type' or 'kouros-like'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This is an old statue from Greece. It is called a kouros.
- A kouros is a statue of a young man from ancient Greece. It is usually made of marble.
- The Anavyssos Kouros is a famous example of Archaic Greek sculpture, depicting a standing nude youth with his left foot forward.
- The rigid, frontal posture of the early kouros, with its emphatic musculature and enigmatic smile, reflects Egyptian influence while establishing a distinctly Greek artistic idiom.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Kouros sounds like 'curious' about ancient art: a curious, naked youth statue.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE IDEALIZED HUMAN FORM IS ETERNAL YOUTH (kouroi represent perfected, ageless young men, often associated with Apollo).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'курос' (non-existent). There is no direct Russian equivalent; use транслитерация 'курос' or описательно 'архаическая статуя юноши'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'kouros' for any Greek statue (it's period-specific).
- Pronouncing it /kaʊˈroʊs/ (incorrect).
- Using it as a plural (plural is 'kouroi').
- Confusing it with 'kore' (which is female).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a kouros?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A kouros is a statue of a standing nude male youth, while a kore is its female counterpart, always depicted clothed (draped).
It comes from ancient Greek (κοῦρος), meaning 'youth, boy, son'.
No, it is a strictly period-specific term for Archaic Greek sculpture (c. 650–480 BCE).
Major museums like the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Louvre in Paris house famous kouroi such as the Kroisos Kouros and the New York Kouros.