stance
C1Formal to neutral. Common in political, academic, and sports commentary.
Definition
Meaning
A person's or organization's settled opinion or attitude, especially one publicly declared.
The physical way in which someone stands, particularly when preparing to play a sport or take part in an activity; the position of a vehicle, especially a motorcycle, relative to the ground.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes a mental or emotional position. The physical meaning is a metaphorical extension. Often implies a publicly held position open to scrutiny.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the word identically in meaning. 'Stance' is slightly more frequent in American English, particularly in political contexts.
Connotations
Neutral in both, though can carry a connotation of firmness or inflexibility depending on context (e.g., 'hardline stance').
Frequency
Common in both. Arguably more pervasive in AmE media discourse on policy and politics.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[VERB] a stance (adopt/take/change/soften)[ADJECTIVE] stance (firm/public/ethical)stance [PREPOSITION] (on/towards/against)stance [THAT-CLAUSE]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “soften one's stance”
- “harden one's stance”
- “a stance of defiance/opposition”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The company's stance on remote work is very progressive.
Academic
The paper critiques the author's theoretical stance on post-colonialism.
Everyday
What's your stance on the new recycling rules?
Technical
Adjust the motorcycle's stance to improve cornering stability.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The MP's stance on the NHS reforms was widely reported.
- Check your batting stance before the bowler runs in.
American English
- The Senator's stance on gun control is well-known.
- The SUV has an aggressive off-road stance.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Her stance on animal welfare is very strong.
- In golf, a good stance is important.
- The party has adopted a tougher stance on immigration.
- The coach corrected the boxer's defensive stance.
- The paper deconstructs the author's ideological stance, revealing its contradictions.
- The diplomatic stance of non-alignment proved difficult to maintain.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a STANd you take on an issue – your STANCE.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE LOCATIONS (to have a stance), MORALITY/OPINION IS PHYSICAL POSTURE (upright stance, firm stance).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not 'стэнс' (a transliteration) but 'позиция' or 'точка зрения'. Avoid confusing with 'posture' (осанка) for the physical meaning alone.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'opinion' in overly formal contexts where 'stance' is better (e.g., 'The government clarified its official opinion' → '...its official stance'). Incorrect prepositions: 'stance for/with' instead of 'stance on/towards'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely synonym for 'stance' in a political context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral to formal. Common in writing, journalism, and academic contexts. In everyday speech, 'position' or 'view' might be more common.
Yes, especially in sports (golf stance, batting stance) and increasingly in automotive/motorcycle contexts to describe wheel alignment and height.
'On' is by far the most common (stance on climate change). 'Towards' and 'against' are also used.
An 'opinion' is a personal view. A 'stance' is a more settled, often publicly declared and defended position, implying a degree of commitment and sometimes action.