balanced

American  

[bal-uhnst] / ˈbæl ənst /

adjective

1. fairly or equally containing a diversity of views, aspects, ingredients, activities, etc..

   The course provides a balanced program of study in painting, design, sculpture, and ceramics.

   Some newspapers provided more balanced coverage of the conflict.

2. being in harmonious or proper arrangement or adjustment, proportion, etc..

   These guidelines will help beginning photographers achieve a balanced composition in each shot.

   Synonyms:

   evenhanded, impartial, just, equitable, fair

3. (of a budget) showing enough revenue or income to cover all expenses.

   Our newly formed Finance Council will promote a balanced budget and long-range financial planning.

4. (of an investment portfolio) including investments of a variety of types or in a variety of sectors so as to maximize returns with a manageable level of risk.

   Stocks can help you achieve a balanced portfolio when combined with fixed-income investments such as bonds.

5. Football. pertaining to or noting an offensive line formation having three linemen on each side of the center.

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balanced British  

/ ˈbælənst /

adjective

1. having weight evenly distributed; being in a state of equilibrium

2. (of a person) mentally and emotionally stable

3. (of a discussion, programme, etc) presenting opposing points of view fairly and without bias

4. (of a diet) consisting of all essential nutrients in suitable form and amounts to maintain health

5. (of a budget) having expenditure no greater than income

6. electronics (of signals or circuitry) symmetrically disposed about earth or other reference potential

7. (of a chemical equation) having the correct relative number of moles of reactants and products

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Other Word Forms

• self-balanced
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of balanced

First recorded in 1585–95; balance + -ed ²

Explanation

If something is balanced, it has equal proportions or a stable sense of balance. A balanced yoga pose is one in which you're not falling over constantly. A balanced gymnast won't fall off the balance beam, and a balanced team combines players' skills to form a stable, equitable group. Balanced information in a news report gives you the opposing sides of an issue, and a balanced diet includes some food from all the different nutritional groups. Balanced comes from the verb balance, "be equal with," from the noun form of the word, with its Old French root, balance, "scales for weighing."

Example Sentences

However, balanced against that is the growing chance of a strong El Niño.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

“A deal is a deal, and the EU honors its commitments,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on X. “Together, we can ensure stable, predictable, balanced, and mutually beneficial transatlantic trade.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

Tyrannosaurids, however, showed a more balanced reduction across the entire forelimb.

From Science Daily • May 20, 2026

But he has long taken the spiritual demand to speak truth to power seriously, and balanced it always with a belief in the power of forgiveness.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

Many melodies are an interesting, fairly balanced mixture of conjunct and disjunct motion.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

Related Words

• equitable
• fair