What does statue mean?
A statue is a sculpture representing a person, animal, or other subject, most often a human figure made in materials such as stone, bronze, or wood. The word usually suggests a freestanding artwork viewed in a public place, such as a park, museum, monument, or building entrance. It can also be used figuratively to describe a person who remains completely still. In English, statue comes through Old French from Latin statua, a word associated with the idea of a standing figure. The term is related to stature and statuary. Statue differs from similar-sounding words such as statute, which means a law, and it should not be confused with a statuette, the smaller version of a statue. Understanding the distinction helps when discussing public monuments, art collections, commemorative sculpture, and figurative descriptions of stillness.
nounA carved or modeled representation of a person, animal, or other subject, especially a freestanding sculpture. The word most commonly refers to a sculpted human figure.
- A carved or modeled representation of a person, animal, or other subject, especially a freestanding sculpture.
"A bronze statue stood at the entrance to the park."
"A bronze statue stood at the entrance to the park."
"The museum's latest acquisition is an impressive statue of the ancient philosopher."
The standard plural is statues; no apostrophe is needed for the ordinary plural.
"The statues were moved to the museum for restoration."
The word preserves the idea of standing: its Latin ancestor referred to a standing figure, a body fixed in space.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of statue
The word entered English through Old French statue, from Latin statua, meaning a standing image or figure. The Latin word is associated with stare, "to stand," which also underlies related forms such as stature and statuary. These cognates preserve a shared idea of standing, height, or the creation of statues.
How statue is actually used
The word is most natural for a solid sculpted figure, particularly one representing a person. It can also be used figuratively for someone or something unusually motionless.
Easily confused with statue
A statue is a sculpted representation, whereas a statute is a written law or rule.