Verbs of Movement - Verbs for Changes in Body Posture

Here you will learn some English verbs referring to changes in body posture such as "stand", "bow", and "lean".

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Verbs of Movement
to stand
to stand [verb]

to rise up onto one's feet, typically from a seated or lying position, and support oneself in an upright position

Ex: In the courtroom , the judge entered , and everyone in the gallery stood out of respect .
to stand up
to stand up [verb]

to rise to a standing position from a seated or lying position

Ex: They stood up quickly to give him a round of applause .
to get up
to get up [verb]

to get on our feet and stand up

Ex: He decided to get up and walk around after sitting for hours .
to bow
to bow [verb]

to bend the head or move the upper half of the body forward to show respect or as a way of greeting

Ex: In many cultures , it is customary to bow when greeting elders as a gesture of politeness .
to squat
to squat [verb]

to go to a position in which the knees are bent and the back of thighs are touching or very close to one's heels

Ex: As part of their daily exercise routine , the athletes were instructed to squat to improve flexibility and muscle tone .
to hunker
to hunker [verb]

to squat down low, or sit on one's haunches in a relaxed or stable position

Ex: During the campfire , everyone hunkered around to enjoy the warmth and share stories .
to crouch
to crouch [verb]

to sit on one's calves and move the chest close to one's knees

Ex: The baseball player crouched low , ready to field the ball .
to kneel
to kneel [verb]

to support the weight of the body on a knee or both knees

Ex: The athlete chose to kneel during the national anthem as a peaceful protest against social injustice .
to stoop
to stoop [verb]

to bend the upper side of one's body forward

Ex: To enter the small doorway , everyone had to stoop slightly to avoid hitting their heads .
to duck
to duck [verb]

to lower the head or body quickly as a gesture of avoidance or to avoid being hit

Ex: In the game of dodgeball , players must duck and dodge to avoid getting hit by the ball .
to lean
to lean [verb]

to bend from a straight position typically to rest the body against something for support

Ex:
to hunch
to hunch [verb]

to bend the upper side of the body forward and make a rounded back

Ex: She hunched slightly to avoid hitting her head on the low doorway .
to slump
to slump [verb]

to sit, lean or fall heavily or suddenly, typically due to exhaustion, weakness, or lack of energy.

Ex: The exhausted athlete slumped against the gym wall after completing the intense workout .
to sit
to sit [verb]

to put our bottom on something like a chair or the ground while keeping our back straight

Ex: He enjoys going to the park to sit and watch the ducks in the pond .
to flop
to flop [verb]

to fall or collapse suddenly and heavily, either intentionally or unintentionally

Ex: As the exhausted athlete crossed the finish line , they flopped onto the grass , catching their breath .
to flump
to flump [verb]

to fall or sit down heavily, often with a soft or muffled sound

Ex: The exhausted student flumped into the chair after completing a challenging exam .
to straddle
to straddle [verb]

to sit with one leg on either side of an object

Ex: Last summer , the children gleefully straddled their bikes as they raced down the hill .
to bestride
to bestride [verb]

to sit or stand with one leg on either side of

Ex: The gymnast demonstrated incredible flexibility by bestriding the balance beam with perfect poise .
to curl up
to curl up [verb]

to position one's body like a ball with one's arms and legs placed close to one's body while sitting

Ex: Feeling unwell , he decided to curl up in bed and rest for a while .
to double up
to double up [verb]

to bend over typically as a reaction to laughter or pain

Ex: As the friends reminisced about old times , they could n't help but double up with laughter .
to lie
to lie [verb]

(of a person or animal) to be in a resting position on a flat surface, not standing or sitting

Ex: As the sun set , the hikers found a comfortable spot to lie on the grass and enjoy the view .
to recline
to recline [verb]

to bend the upper body backwards

Ex: The moviegoers reclined in the plush seats of the theater , ready to enjoy the film .
to sprawl
to sprawl [verb]

to spread out one's limbs in a relaxed manner while sitting, falling, etc.

Ex: After a hearty meal , she contentedly sprawled on the sofa , relaxing with a book .
Verbs of Movement
Verbs for Non-Human Movement Verbs for Movement Verbs for Movement Toward Something Verbs for Movement Away from Something
Verbs for Movement in Place Verbs for Repetitive and Slight Movements Verbs for Movement with Separation Verbs for Movement on Foot
Verbs for Rushed Movement Verbs for Movement in Water Verbs for Changes in Body Posture Verbs for Movement Using Vehicles
Verbs for Change in Speed of Movement Verbs for Travelling Verbs for Navigation Verbs for Transportation of Goods