poised
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/pɔɪzd/
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Calm and self-assured, physically balanced or held in position, or ready for something expected to happen soon.
Examples
Even under pressure, she stayed poised.
The talks were poised to collapse by midnight.
He was poised to accept the offer.
The young actor looked remarkably poised on stage.
The market looks poised for a recovery.
Similar words
prepared
balanced
self-assured
composed
on the brink
ready
about to
calm
primed
hovering
Meanings
Examples
Even under pressure, she stayed poised.
His poised manner reassured the nervous team.
The presenter sounded poised throughout the debate.
She gave a poised answer after the difficult question.
The young actor looked remarkably poised on stage.
A poised smile hid his frustration.
Similar words
composed
self-assured
confident
collected
calm
steady
Examples
She held the pen poised above the contract.
The bird hung poised in the wind.
The dancer stood poised on one foot.
A cup sat poised on the edge of the tray.
The diver waited poised at the end of the board.
The statue seemed poised between motion and stillness.
Similar words
balanced
steady
suspended
hovering
held
positioned
Examples
The company is poised for rapid growth.
She is poised to become the next team leader.
The talks were poised to collapse by midnight.
The rocket stood poised for launch.
The market looks poised for a recovery.
He was poised to accept the offer.
Similar words
ready
prepared
setprimed
about to
on the brink
Etymology
From poise plus -ed. Poise comes through Old French from words for weight and balance, ultimately tied to Latin pendere, to hang or weigh.
FAQ
Poised can mean calm and self-assured, balanced in position, or ready for something expected to happen soon.
What does poised to mean?
Poised to means ready or likely to do something soon, as in poised to win.
What does poised for mean?
Poised for means ready for a result or event, as in poised for growth.
Can poised describe an object?
Yes. An object can be poised when it is balanced, suspended, or held in position.
Poised can be a past form of poise, but this entry covers its adjective uses.
What is a common mistake with poised?
Poising is often used where the adjective poised is needed.
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