poise

1 of 3

verb

ˈpȯiz 

poised; poising

transitive verb

1

a

: balance

especially : to hold or carry in equilibrium

carried a water jar poised on her head

b

: to hold supported or suspended without motion in a steady position

poised her fork and gave her guest a knowing look

—Louis Bromfield

2

: to hold or carry (the head) in a particular way

3

: to put into readiness : brace

intransitive verb

1

: to become drawn up into readiness

2

: hover

poise

2 of 3

noun (1)

ˈpȯiz 

1

: a stably balanced state : equilibrium

a poise between widely divergent impulses

—F. R. Leavis

2

a

: easy self-possessed assurance of manner : gracious tact in coping or handling

also : the pleasantly tranquil interaction between persons of poise

no angry outbursts marred the poise of the meeting

b

: a particular way of carrying oneself : bearing, carriage

poise

3 of 3

noun (2)

ˈpwäz 

: a centimeter-gram-second unit of viscosity equal to the viscosity of a fluid that would require a shearing force of one dyne to impart to a one-square-centimeter area of an arbitrary layer of the fluid a velocity of one centimeter per second relative to another layer separated from the first by a distance of one centimeter

Synonyms

Verb

• brace
• fortify
• nerve
• ready
• strengthen

Noun (1)

• equilibrium

Choose the Right Synonym for poise

tact, address, poise, savoir faire mean skill and grace in dealing with others.

tact implies delicate and considerate perception of what is appropriate.

questions showing a lack of tact

address stresses dexterity and grace in dealing with new and trying situations and may imply success in attaining one's ends.

brought it off with remarkable address

poise may imply both tact and address but stresses self-possession and ease in meeting difficult situations.

answered the accusations with unruffled poise

savoir faire is likely to stress worldly experience and a sure awareness of what is proper or expedient.

the savoir faire of a seasoned traveler

Examples of poise in a Sentence

Verb

She poised her pencil above the paper and waited for the signal to begin writing.

the disgraced business executive poised herself for the difficult press conference

Noun (1)

there must be a poise between the rights of the individual and the rights of society

the woman's poise suggested that she was accustomed to having her wishes carried out promptly and without question

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

While growth was already poised to slow, Trump on July 10 increased the risks of a more pronounced pullback by announcing plans to raise the tariff rate on many Canadian imports from 25% to 35% and impose a blanket 15% to 20% duty on most other countries, up from 10%. —Paul Davidson, USA Today, 13 July 2025

The Oak Park Village Board is poised next month to add an article to its Human Rights Ordinance that would protect gender affirming care. —Bob Skolnik, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025

Noun

Later in the film, François Arnaud plays a dreamy/nightmare client, matching her gentleness with mad intensity, while giving their scenes together a charge that carries the film into its frenzied conclusion with bold poise. —Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 11 July 2025

Has proven herself to be an inspiring leader, guiding her peers with poise and passion. —Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, to weigh, ponder, from Anglo-French peiser, poiser, from Latin pensare — more at pensive

Noun (1)

Middle English poyse weight, heaviness, from Anglo-French peis, pois, from Latin pensum, from neuter of pensus, past participle of pendere to weigh — more at pendant

Noun (2)

French, from Jean Louis Marie Poiseuille †1869 French physician and anatomist

First Known Use

Verb

1597, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1913, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing poise

• self-poise

Rhymes for poise

• boys
• joys
• noise
• ploys
• toys
• alloys
• annoys
• carboys
• convoys
• cowboys
• deploys
• destroys

Kids Definition

poise

1 of 2 verb

ˈpȯiz 

poised; poising

1

a

: balance entry 2 sense 5

especially : to hold or make firm or steady by balancing

b

: to hold without motion in a steady position : hover

a bird poised in the air

2

: to put into readiness : brace

poised for action

poise

2 of 2 noun

1

: balance entry 1 sense 4, equilibrium

2

a

: a dignified self-confident manner

a speaker of great poise

b

: a way of carrying oneself : bearing

Medical Definition

poise

noun

ˈpȯiz  ˈpwäz 

: a cgs unit of viscosity equal to the viscosity of a fluid that would require a shearing force of one dyne to impart to a one square-centimeter area of an arbitrary layer of the fluid a velocity of one centimeter per second relative to another layer separated from the first by a distance of one centimeter