statue
STAT-choo
/ˈstætʃuː/
A carved or cast figure of a person or animal, especially one that is life-size or larger.
A statue is three-dimensional and free-standing, unlike a relief which is carved into a wall.
The story behind the word. The word 'statue' comes from the Latin 'statua', which means 'that which is set up'. It comes from the root 'stare', meaning 'to stand'. A statue is literally something that stands in place.
Word relationships
- sculpture: Sculpture is the art form; a statue is a specific type of sculpture representing a figure.
- effigy: An effigy is a statue or model of a person, often used in a funeral or to express dislike (burning in effigy).
- living being: A statue is an inanimate representation of a living being.
Commonly confused with
- statute: A statute is a written law; a statue is a physical carving.
Word family
- statuesque (adjective): Like a statue; tall and dignified.
- statuette (noun): A small statue.
Collocations
- bronze statue
- marble statue
- equestrian statue
- statue of
Idioms & expressions
- statue of limitations (often confused with statute)
Example sentences
- "The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States to celebrate the centennial of American independence." Describing a famous monument.
- "I met a traveller from an antique land / Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone / Stand in the desert... Near them, on the sand, / Half sunk, a shattered visage lies..." A famous poem about a fallen statue.
Memory hook
A statue 'stays' in one place and 'stands' tall. Statue = Stands Still.
When not to use
Do not use 'statue' for a small figurine or a painting; it implies a certain scale and physical presence.
Fun facts
- The tallest statue in the world is the Statue of Unity in India, which is 182 meters (597 feet) tall.
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