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Poised - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Poised means being composed, self-assured, and ready for action. It describes someone who is calm and balanced, especially in challenging situations, or something carefully positioned for stability.

poised

/pɔɪzd/ /pɔɪzd/

Definition:

Calm, composed, and ready for action.

Synonyms:

composed, balanced, self-assured, graceful

Part of Speech:

adjective

Antonyms:

flustered, unbalanced

Common Collocations:

poised to succeed, poised for action, poised and confident

Derivatives:

poise, poising

Usage Tips:

Use "poised" to describe someone calm and prepared in a situation requiring composure.

Common Phrases:

poised on the edge, poised for greatness, poised between two choices

Etymology:

From Old French "peser," meaning to weigh or balance; influenced by Latin "pensare."

Examples:

  • 1. She stood poised at the starting line.
  • 2. The dancer was poised and graceful on stage.
  • 3. He remained poised during the interview despite tough questions.
  • 4. The team is poised to win the championship this year.

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