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.
Fake cops, fake judges: The Hollywood-style scam poised to go global.
From MarketWatch
BCA Research analysts see Mexico’s stocks, peso and bond markets poised to outperform peers.
From Barron's
Flashback to December: Economic growth was accelerating, the Federal Reserve appeared poised to make further interest-rate cuts and markets had moved past the uncertainty created by U.S. disputes with its international trading partners.
The way she calls my name makes my butterflies take up their flags, stand in a line like an army poised for battle — like what I’m about to walk into might be dangerous.
From Literature
His answer came as a squirrel plucked another barb from the porcupine’s back and held it like a javelin, poised to spear through Clare’s undead heart.
From Literature
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.
