poised

Language: en

🇺🇸 /ˈpɔɪzd/

📖 Definitions

  1. adjective
    Having a composed and self-assured manner; calm and dignified in bearing or behavior.; In a state of balance or equilibrium; held steady in a particular position.; Ready or prepared to do something; on the verge of action.; Held or suspended in a position, often in anticipation of movement or action.; Carefully arranged or positioned in a deliberate manner.; In a state of uncertainty or indecision between two alternatives; hanging in the balance.
  2. verb
    Past tense and past participle of 'poise'; to balance or hold steady.; To hold or carry in a balanced or steady position; to suspend.

🔗 Details

Word forms

uncountable 3rd sing.: poises Past: poised Past part.: poised Pres part.: poising

Collocations

poised topoised forwith poisemaintain one's poiselose one's poisepoised between

Derivatives

poised

Synonyms

composureequilibriumbalancegracedignityaplomb

Antonyms

awkwardnessclumsinessfluster

Commonly confused

compose
EN: 'Compose' means to create (music, text) or to calm oneself; 'poise' means to balance or to carry oneself with graceful composure.
pause
EN: 'Pause' means to stop temporarily; 'poise' means to balance or hold in equilibrium, though they may sound similar in rapid speech.

Spelling tips

EN: The silent 'e' in 'poise' is dropped before '-ing' (poising) but retained before '-d' (poised). Do not confuse with 'poison'.

💬 Examples

  1. She remained poised and confident during the entire interview.

  2. The dancer stood poised on the tips of her toes.

  3. The company is poised to launch its new product next month.

  4. The hawk hovered, poised above its prey before diving down.

  5. He sat with his pen poised over the paper, waiting for inspiration.

  6. The outcome of the election remained poised between the two candidates until the final votes were counted.

  7. She poised the tray on one hand while opening the door with the other.

  8. He poised the glass carefully on the edge of the shelf.