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 Words From

• un·poised adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of poised¹

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

Example Sentences

For now, according to Politico, lawmakers seem poised to extend the 2018 Farm Bill for another year, likely attaching it to a must-pass spending measure or a continuing resolution.

From Salon

D’Hérelle, who had been poised to live and work in Georgia, then disappears from her narrative too; he died, largely forgotten, of cancer, in Paris in 1949.

From Salon

“I think it’s a healthy dose of both,” says Bear, poised at her piano.

From Los Angeles Times

"Collectively, weeds are adapting quicker than our ways to manage them. Climate change appears poised to put this evolution on a faster track," he said.

From Science Daily

President-elect Donald Trump’s sentencing in his New York hush-money case is poised to be postponed — potentially until after the presidency — as Trump’s lawyers contest that his recent election victory requires that the case be dismissed.

From Salon

Related Words

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