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 game was delicately poised with England 179-6 after 40 overs, but the captain timed her acceleration to perfection with 49 runs coming from the last five.

Read more on BBC

Silver is poised to experience significant volatility in the weeks and months ahead as it “enters a phase of price discovery in this unprecedented range,” he said.

Read more on MarketWatch

The new law, formerly known as SB79, is poised to make it easier for developers to build multistory apartment buildings near major bus or commuter rail stops.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Consumer spending may be proving shockingly resilient, but there’s one demographic that seems poised to pull back this fall: Teenagers.

Read more on Barron's

United Airlines and Delta Air Lines are poised to continue leading the pack, as they are more exposed to improving corporate travel and long-haul international demand, the analysts say.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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