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

poised himself for action

intransitive verb

1

: to become drawn up into readiness

were poising for the encounter

2

: hover

poised for a few moments before striking

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

the dancer's poise

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 of poise

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

Kansas legislators are poised to discuss a proposal between the Kansas City Chiefs and the state of Kansas on Monday, one lawmaker who will be part of those discussions told The Star on Thursday. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025

In 2024, the event lasted 4 hours and 31 minutes as Putin brushed off concerns about the Russian economy and claimed that Russia was poised to make gains in Ukraine. —Keir Simmons, NBC news, 19 Dec. 2025

Noun

His poise is going to be basically contagious through the whole group. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 17 Dec. 2025

The structured cut ensures poise and presence, while the fine pattern and feminine fit make this look absolutely evening ready. —Naomi De Oliveira, Glamour, 16 Dec. 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