poised

[poizd]

adjective

1. (of a person) composed, dignified, and self-assured.

2. being in balance or equilibrium.

   a ball poised on the nose of a seal.

3. teetering or wavering.

   to be poised on the brink of disaster.

4. hovering or suspended in or as in midair.

   a bird poised in flight; a helicopter poised overhead.

5. readied or prepared to do something or for something to happen.

   a singer poised to make sales history with a new album.

poised

/ pɔɪzd /

adjective

1. self-possessed; dignified; exhibiting composure

2. balanced and prepared for action

   a skier poised at the top of the slope

Other Word Forms

• unpoised adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of poised¹

First recorded in 1635–45; poise ¹ + -ed ², -ed ³

Example Sentences

The electricity provider, which operates in the Carolinas and Virginia, is poised to benefit from two major investment projects.

Read more on Barron's

After six straight months of robust gains, November is poised to finally break the U.S. stock market’s win streak.

Read more on MarketWatch

It is further evidence of the superpower that has Oklahoma City poised to launch basketball’s next dynasty.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Now, they are competing against each other at the top of the European game and are also poised to feature for their countries at the World Cup.

Read more on BBC

Seasonal hiring is poised to drop to its lowest level since the aftermath of the 2008 recession, according to the National Retail Federation.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• balletic www.thesaurus.com
• beautiful 
• decorative 
• delicate 
• elegant 
• exquisite 
• handsome 
• limber 
• lithe 
• neat 
• nimble 
• refined 
• rhythmic 
• shapely 
• slender 
• smooth 
• supple 
• symmetrical 
• tasteful