poised

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "poised" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is calmly self-assured and composed. Example sentence: She was poised for success, with her eye on the prize and unwavering determination.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Books

Opinion

Lifestyle

Tech

Business

Film

TV & Radio

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The home side persevered, throwing bodies forward, but in the 76th minute Hanlon's header from a Francomb corner was cleared off the line by Jonathon Tiffoney, before Osbourne miscued in front of goal when he looked poised to score.

The Guardian - Sport

Saker was the only member of the coaching setup retained following the Ashes defeat but is now poised to return to his native Australia in a domestic role.

The Guardian - Sport

Warsi was poised to flounce, they groan, once her hopes of shaping UK policy were exposed as delusions.

The Guardian - Opinion

A firm prediction that the owner of the Daily Mail was poised to buy the Daily Telegraph, when that newspaper was up for sale, is among the endeavours best forgotten.

The Guardian

Never fear, Book Dr is here and poised to answer all your book questions, just email [email protected] or you can even post your question on Twitter @GdnChildrensBks using #BookDoctor Want to start a discussion?

The Guardian - Books

The economies of many African countries are growing faster than anywhere else in the world – and agriculture, which accounts for a third of Africa's GDP, is poised to be the next instalment of the "Africa rising" narrative.

The Guardian

Poised, coiffed and grinning, Sturgeon was in demand for a string of selfies.

The Guardian

A highlight of the scheme is a perfectly poised annunciation.

The Guardian - Arts

Peter is based in Cromarty, a historic 18th-century harbour town poised on the tip of the Isle.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Lenovo, Xiaomi, Alibaba and more: the Chinese technology companies poised to dominate the world.

The Guardian - Tech

But she declined to criticise Mark Carne, chief executive of Network Rail, who is poised to receive a bonus of up to £135,000 and who was on holiday during the engineering works.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "poised" to describe a state of readiness combined with a sense of balance or composure. It's effective when highlighting both preparation and a calm demeanor in anticipation of an event or action.

Common error

Avoid using "poised" simply to mean "ready" if the context doesn't imply balance, control, or imminence. Using it inappropriately can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The word "poised" functions primarily as an adjective, describing a state of readiness, balance, or composure. It often implies a combination of preparedness and a controlled demeanor, as seen in Ludwig's examples. According to Ludwig AI, the term fits well in multiple contexts with correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Sport

13%

Business

8%

Less common in

Books

5%

Opinion

5%

Lifestyle

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poised" is a versatile adjective that indicates readiness, balance, and composure. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s grammatically sound and widely used in diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Sports. It carries a neutral to professional register, making it appropriate for a wide range of writing styles. To ensure correct usage, remember that "poised" implies more than just readiness; it also suggests a sense of control and imminence. For alternatives, consider "ready" or "prepared", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ready

Emphasizes being prepared and equipped for action; focuses more on immediate readiness.

prepared

Highlights the process of getting ready and making necessary arrangements.

about to

Indicates that something is on the verge of happening, emphasizing imminence.

on the brink of

Implies a critical point or threshold, often suggesting a significant change or event.

on the verge of

Similar to "on the brink of", but can also suggest a more gradual progression towards an event.

in readiness

More formal way to express being prepared and ready for action.

with composure

Focuses on maintaining a calm and self-assured demeanor, emphasizing mental and emotional balance.

self-assured

Emphasizes confidence and certainty in one's abilities and actions.

collected

Implies regaining control over one's emotions and actions, suggesting a return to a balanced state.

self-possessed

Highlights control over one's emotions and behavior, often in challenging situations.

FAQs

How can I use "poised" in a sentence?

You can use "poised" to describe someone or something that is ready and balanced, both physically and figuratively. For example, "The athlete was poised to break the record" or "The company is poised for significant growth".

What are some alternatives to using "poised"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "ready", "prepared", or "about to". Choose the alternative that best fits the specific meaning you want to convey.

What does it mean to be "poised for success"?

To be "poised for success" means that you are in a state of readiness and balance that makes you likely to achieve success. It implies that you have the necessary skills, resources, and mindset to reach your goals.

Is "poised" only used for describing people?

No, "poised" can be used to describe both people and things. For example, you can say that a dancer is "poised" on the tips of her toes, or that a country is "poised" for economic recovery.