noun
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poise
poyz
Poise (noun) means a calm, self-assured manner; composure under pressure. Example: “She answered the hostile questions with remarkable poise.”
noun
1
A calm, self-assured manner; composure under pressure.
"She answered the hostile questions with remarkable poise."
"Years of stage experience gave him poise in front of a camera."
2
A state of balance or equilibrium.
"The dancer held her poise on one foot for several seconds."
verb
1
To hold something balanced and ready, or to hang suspended.
"The hawk poised in the air before diving."
"She poised the pen above the paper, unsure what to write."
How to use poise
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCalm, graceful self-control, or the physical balance that gives rise to it.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "poised" the adjective (ready/about to do something) — "poise" itself is usually the noun for composure.
Common pairings
with poise
poise and confidence
poised in the air
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Word forms
- Plural
- poises
- Third person singular
- poises
- Past tense
- poised
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She answered the hostile questions with remarkable _____.
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.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for poise
See all rhymes for 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.
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