poised
Americanadjective
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(of a person) composed, dignified, and self-assured.
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being in balance or equilibrium.
a ball poised on the nose of a seal.
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teetering or wavering.
to be poised on the brink of disaster.
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hovering or suspended in or as in midair.
a bird poised in flight; a helicopter poised overhead.
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readied or prepared to do something or for something to happen.
a singer poised to make sales history with a new album.
adjective
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self-possessed; dignified; exhibiting composure
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balanced and prepared for action
a skier poised at the top of the slope
Other Word Forms
- unpoised adjective
Etymology
Origin of poised
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.
A run of pharmaceutical mergers and acquisitions is fueling optimism that biotechnology venture capital is poised to rebound from its postpandemic slump.
“It’s clear that housing activity is improving and poised for a solid spring sales season,” Freddie Mac’s chief economist, Sam Khater, said in a statement.
From MarketWatch
Based on how markets have reacted to similar setups in the past, Hartman and his team warned that Treasury yields could be poised to shoot higher.
From MarketWatch
U.S. prices are potentially poised to climb even higher.
“This sizable surplus appears poised to expand further with Gulf coast refinery activity still running full out.”
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.
