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
Derived Forms
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
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"Of Mice and Men"
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"A Sound of Thunder" by Ray Bradbury
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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.
As the Trump administration seeks to revitalize domestic manufacturing, rails are poised to play a vital role.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026
Though Park is poised to win her race against Venice Dell supporter Faizah Malik, Feldstein Soto didn’t make the November runoff.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026
So if Argentina looks poised for victory in a knockout round, Sagan and his team will be standing by with flights to the next game before the final whistle.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
In the race for Los Angeles mayor, Republican Spencer Pratt is currently in second place and appears poised to challenge Democratic incumbent Karen Bass in the run-off, with a left-wing Democrat in third place.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
Singer held the pen poised above the paper.
From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers
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.
