poise

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'poise' is correct and is widely used in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone's grace, calmness, or elegance, especially in difficult circumstances. For example: "The mayor answered the press conference questions with poise and confidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All the government needs to recover its poise and popularity is for Brown to be himself and let his real beliefs dominate the landscape.

The Guardian - Opinion

They hurled themselves into tackles that were easily sidestepped by their opponents, whose greater poise was summed up by the sumptuous Kiss lob that made the score 8-1.

The Guardian - Sport

The intensity reaches great heights from the moment the contest begins, but the fervour allows no time for poise in the early stages at least.

The Guardian - Sport

Europe's financial markets have recovered their poise after Monday's panic sell-off, despite clashes in the Dutch parliament over the country's austerity measures.

The Guardian - Business

On the contrary: I found The Assassin's balletic mystery and poise entirely engaging, although I had to confess that it was too opaque to capture my heart in the way that it had captured others' hearts at Cannes this year.

The Guardian - Film

I would favour more edge, a touch of House of Cards or Mad Men – though there is an exquisite gesture in that direction: the trophy wife of a boss, Lisa (Rosamund Pike) relinquishes her poise, momentarily, and seeks affinity with Rita O'Grady, the strike leader.

The Guardian

But the Slovenians recovered their poise to equalise when the Celtic defence was split open by Zeljko Filipovic.

The Guardian - Sport

Among the year's big Twitter moments: Rio Ferdinand picked up a three-game ban and a £25,000 fine for adding the word "sket" to his bantz; Sky's rugby expert Scott Quinnell tweeted his mobile number to 61,000 followers by mistake after November's England v Australia game; and the Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas, 65, tried engaging with his critics calmly, then lost his poise.

The Guardian - Sport

Young revelation Heeney showed strength, poise and accuracy as he grabbed three goals and combined beautifully with Franklin, who yet again proved his worth with a five-goal performance to maintain Sydney's unbeaten start to the season.

The Guardian - Sport

His speed, poise, savvy defending and nimble attacking (but not goal-scoring) suggested a long and successful career at the top.

The Guardian - Sport

The stories, written with what Michiko Kakutani of the New York Times described as "uncommon elegance and poise", deal with the diversity of Indian-American immigrant experience and the curious alchemy of love and relationships.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's behavior under pressure, use "poise" to convey a sense of calm and controlled elegance.

Common error

Avoid using "poise" when you mean "pose". "Poise" refers to balance or composure, while "pose" means to assume a particular position, often for a photograph or artistic representation.

Linguistic Context

The word "poise" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a state of balance, composure, or graceful bearing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes both physical equilibrium and mental or emotional stability. For instance, "Europe's financial markets have recovered their poise after Monday's panic sell-off".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poise" is a versatile word primarily used as a noun to describe balance, composure, and grace. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media, formal business contexts, and science, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using "poise", remember it’s about balance and composure, not merely posing. Synonyms include "composure" and "equanimity". With a high source quality score and expert rating, understanding "poise" enhances your writing and communication skills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

composure

Focuses specifically on maintaining a calm and self-controlled state.

equanimity

Highlights a state of mental calmness and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.

self-assurance

Emphasizes confidence in one's own abilities or qualities.

aplomb

Stresses self-confidence or assurance, especially when in a demanding situation.

balance

Implies a state of equilibrium, either physically or mentally.

self-possession

Highlights control over one's own feelings, behavior, or actions.

sangfroid

Emphasizes coolness and composure under trying circumstances.

serenity

Highlights a state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled.

demeanor

Refers to outward behavior or bearing.

collectedness

Emphasizes the state of being calm and in control of oneself.

FAQs

How can I use "poise" in a sentence?

"Poise" can be used to describe physical balance or mental composure. For example, "She maintained her "poise" even when faced with difficult questions."

What are some synonyms for "poise"?

Some synonyms for "poise" include "composure", "equanimity", and "self-assurance", which can be used depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say someone 'lacks poise'?

Yes, saying someone 'lacks "poise"' means they appear nervous, clumsy, or flustered, indicating a lack of composure or balance.

What is the difference between "poise" and "confidence"?

"Poise" refers to a composed and self-assured manner, especially in challenging situations, whereas "confidence" is a general belief in one's own abilities. You can have "confidence" without necessarily exhibiting "poise".