poised
Americanadjective
-
(of a person) composed, dignified, and self-assured.
-
being in balance or equilibrium.
a ball poised on the nose of a seal.
-
teetering or wavering.
to be poised on the brink of disaster.
-
hovering or suspended in or as in midair.
a bird poised in flight; a helicopter poised overhead.
-
readied or prepared to do something or for something to happen.
a singer poised to make sales history with a new album.
adjective
-
self-possessed; dignified; exhibiting composure
-
balanced and prepared for action
a skier poised at the top of the slope
Other Word Forms
- unpoised adjective
Etymology
Origin of poised
Explanation
If you're poised you're self-possessed and in full control of your faculties. You're balanced, grounded, and ready for action. A poised person exhibits composure and self-assuredness, which comes in handy, for instance, during a job interview, giving a public talk or debate, or playing sports. Watching the Olympics, you may wonder how gymnasts remain so poised when competing on the balance beam, considered the sport's most mentally and physically challenging event. Poised also means ready or on the verge: You can be poised for a leadership position, poised for battle, or poised to become music's next pop star.
Vocabulary lists containing poised
The Giver
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Of Mice and Men"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"A Sound of Thunder" by Ray Bradbury
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The two countries are poised to make very different decisions on what's next.
From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026
Intel stock is poised to open at a record high in premarket trading, extending its six-month gain to more than 120%.
From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026
Electric vehicles were once poised to diminish the ubiquity of traditional engines, but automakers are booking huge losses and killing off one new model after another.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026
Ellison, who is poised to honor President Trump with a dinner Thursday evening in Washington, hopes to complete the deal by late summer.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026
He is an old man in this vision, bow poised on string, smiling at me with wrinkles rimming his eyes.
From "What the Night Sings" by Vesper Stamper
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
