poised

Poised is an adjective with several closely related senses. In physical terms, it describes something held in a balanced or prepared position—such as a gymnast on the edge of a apparatus or a spear poised to strike. More commonly, it denotes mental composure and readiness: a person who is poised remains calm and collected while prepared to act when needed. In broader usage, it can describe a situation that is on the verge of change or about to unfold, implying readiness or potential.

The word derives from the noun poise, which means balance or weight. This noun, in turn, traces back through Old French and related linguistic roots to ideas of weight and balance. In modern English, poise also means calm self-assurance or a balanced, steady state, and poising can refer to the act of balancing or preparing something. Poised is used across contexts—sports, performance, business, and everyday description—to convey readiness, composure, or a favorable moment just before action. Related terms include poisedness (the quality of being poised) and poised-to- phrases like poised for success, which signal imminent, favorable development without asserting certainty.