poise
10 synonyms for poise, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A calm, self-assured manner; composure under pressure.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A calm, self-assured manner; composure under pressure.
“She answered the hostile questions with remarkable poise.”
How to use poise
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
with poise
poise and confidence
poised in the air
Etymology
From Old French pois/poise ("weight"), from Latin pendere, "to weigh." The sense shifted from literal weighing to the modern idea of graceful balance.
Full origin of poise →Frequently asked questions
What does “poise” mean?
The word “poise” means a calm, self-assured manner; composure under pressure. In plain terms, calm, graceful self-control, or the physical balance that gives rise to it.
How do you pronounce “poise”?
“Poise” is pronounced poyz (/pɔɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “poise” in a sentence?
Here is “poise” used in a sentence: “She answered the hostile questions with remarkable poise.”
What part of speech is “poise”?
Depending on how it is used, “poise” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “poise” come from?
The word “poise” comes from Latin. From Old French pois/poise ("weight"), from Latin pendere, "to weigh." The sense shifted from literal weighing to the modern idea of graceful balance.
How many meanings does “poise” have?
“Poise” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a calm, self-assured manner; composure under pressure.
