Balance vs. Poise: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 10, 2023
"Balance" primarily denotes stability achieved by even distribution, while "Poise" refers to graceful and controlled composure or bearing.
Key Differences
"Balance" and "Poise" are both terms that refer to a kind of equilibrium, but they are applied in different contexts and have nuances in meaning. "Balance" commonly implies an even distribution or equilibrium, whether it's in the context of physical weight, emotional stability, or managing responsibilities. On the other hand, "Poise" often connotes grace, elegance, and controlled composure, especially in behavior or manner.
In the realm of physicality, "Balance" refers to the state where weight is equally distributed, ensuring that someone or something does not fall or topple. "Poise," in this context, might refer to the way someone holds themselves, a graceful control in movement or posture. For instance, a ballet dancer requires both balance to stand on tiptoe and poise to do it elegantly.
From an emotional or mental perspective, "Balance" can denote a harmonious state where different elements are in proportion, like balancing work and leisure. "Poise," in a similar context, would refer to an individual's composed and confident manner, especially during stressful situations.
In terms of usage, while "Balance" can be both a noun and a verb, "Poise" is predominantly used as a noun. However, both words can be incorporated into descriptive phrases. Someone might "strike a balance" between two conflicting interests, whereas another person might "maintain their poise" in challenging scenarios.
To summarize, while both words imply a type of equilibrium, "Balance" leans more towards even distribution and stability, while "Poise" captures the essence of grace, elegance, and composed control.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Stability achieved by even distribution.
Graceful and controlled composure or bearing.
Contextual Usage
Physical, emotional, responsibilities.
Behavior, posture, manner.
Grammatical Nature
Primarily noun, can be verb.
Predominantly noun.
Connotations
Stability, equilibrium, harmony.
Elegance, grace, control.
Idiomatic Use
"Strike a balance."
"Maintain one's poise."
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Balance and Poise Definitions
Balance
A state of emotional or mental stability.
She maintains a balance between work and relaxation.
Poise
Graceful and controlled composure or bearing.
She answered the difficult questions with poise.
Balance
To compare different elements to achieve equilibrium.
We need to balance our expenses and income.
Poise
A state of balance or equilibrium.
The rock was in poise on the hill's edge.
Balance
An instrument to measure weight or mass.
The chemist used a balance to measure the chemicals.
Poise
Dignified, self-confident manner or carriage.
His poise impressed the interviewers.
Balance
See Libra.
Poise
To carry or hold in equilibrium; balance
I poised the pencil on the edge of the table.
Balance
A weighing device, especially one consisting of a rigid beam horizontally suspended by a low-friction support at its center, with identical weighing pans hung at either end, one of which holds an unknown weight while the effective weight in the other is increased by known amounts until the beam is level and motionless. Also called scale.
Poise
To cause to be ready or about to do something
She is poised to win the nomination.
Balance
A state of equilibrium or parity characterized by cancellation of all forces by equal opposing forces.
Poise
To be balanced or held in suspension
She poised at the end of the diving board.
Balance
The power or means to decide
Matters that fell outside the judge's balance.
Poise
Confident composure; self-possession
Answered the reporters' questions with poise.
Balance
A state of bodily equilibrium
Thrown off balance by a gust of wind.
Poise
Bearing of the body, especially when graceful
A ballerina's poise.
Balance
The ability to maintain bodily equilibrium
Gymnasts must have good balance.
Poise
A centimeter-gram-second unit of dynamic viscosity equal to one dyne-second per square centimeter.
Balance
A harmonious or satisfying arrangement or proportion of parts or elements, as in a design.
Poise
A state of balance, equilibrium or stability.
Balance
An influence or force tending to produce equilibrium; counterpoise.
Poise
Composure; freedom from embarrassment or affectation.
Balance
The difference in magnitude between opposing forces or influences.
Poise
Mien; bearing or deportment of the head or body.
Balance
Equality of totals in the debit and credit sides of an account.
Poise
A condition of hovering, or being suspended.
Balance
The difference between such totals, either on the credit or the debit side.
Poise
(physics) A CGS unit of dynamic viscosity equal to one dyne-second per square centimetre.
Balance
Something that is left over; a remainder.
Poise
(obsolete) Weight; an amount of weight, the amount something weighs.
Balance
(Chemistry) Equality of mass and net electric charge of reacting species on each side of an equation.
Poise
The weight, or mass of metal, used in weighing, to balance the substance weighed.
Balance
(Mathematics) Equality with respect to the net number of reduced symbolic quantities on each side of an equation.
Poise
That which causes a balance; a counterweight.
Balance
A balance wheel.
Poise
(obsolete) To hang in equilibrium; to be balanced or suspended; hence, to be in suspense or doubt.
Balance
To determine the weight of (something) in a weighing device.
Poise
(obsolete) To counterpoise; to counterbalance.
Balance
To consider and compare or assess
Balanced the pros and cons before making a choice.
Poise
(obsolete) To be of a given weight; to weigh.
Balance
To bring into or maintain in a state of equilibrium.
Poise
(obsolete) To add weight to, to weigh down.
Balance
To act as an equalizing weight or force to; counterbalance.
Poise
To hold (something) with or against something else in equilibrium; to balance, counterpose.
Balance
To compute the difference between the debits and credits of (an account).
Poise
To hold (something) in equilibrium, to hold balanced and ready; to carry (something) ready to be used.
I poised the crowbar in my hand, and waited.
To poise the scales of a balance
Balance
To reconcile or equalize the sums of the debits and credits of (an account).
Poise
To keep (something) in equilibrium; to hold suspended or balanced.
The rock was poised precariously on the edge of the cliff.
Balance
To settle (an account, for example) by paying what is owed.
Poise
To ascertain, as if by balancing; to weigh.
Balance
To bring into or keep in equal or satisfying proportion or harmony.
Poise
Weight; gravity; that which causes a body to descend; heaviness.
Balance
Mathematics & Chemistry To bring (an equation) into balance.
Poise
The weight, or mass of metal, used in weighing, to balance the substance weighed.
Balance
To move toward and then away from (a dance partner).
Poise
The state of being balanced by equal weight or power; equipoise; balance; equilibrium; rest.
Balance
To be in or come into equilibrium.
Poise
That which causes a balance; a counterweight.
Men of unbounded imagination often want the poise of judgment.
Balance
To be equal or equivalent.
Poise
A dignified and self-confident manner; graceful composure and tact in handling difficult social situations.
Balance
To sway or waver as if losing or regaining equilibrium.
Poise
To balance; to make of equal weight; as, to poise the scales of a balance.
Balance
To move toward and then away from a dance partner.
Poise
To hold or place in equilibrium or equiponderance.
Nor yet was earth suspended in the sky;Nor poised, did on her own foundation lie.
Balance
(uncountable) A state in which opposing forces harmonise; equilibrium.
Poise
To counterpoise; to counterbalance.
One scale of reason to poise another of sensuality.
To poise with solid sense a sprightly wit.
Balance
(uncountable) Mental equilibrium; mental health; calmness, a state of remaining clear-headed and unperturbed.
Poise
To ascertain, as by the balance; to weigh.
He can not sincerely consider the strength, poise the weight, and discern the evidence.
Balance
Something of equal weight used to provide equilibrium; counterweight.
These weights are used as a balance for the overhanging verandah
Blair thought he could provide a useful balance to Bush's policies.
Poise
To weigh (down); to oppress.
Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow.
Balance
A pair of scales.
Poise
To hang in equilibrium; to be balanced or suspended; hence, to be in suspense or doubt.
The slender, graceful sparsPoise aloft in air.
Balance
(uncountable) Awareness of both viewpoints or matters; neutrality; rationality; objectivity.
Poise
A cgs unit of dynamic viscosity equal to one dyne-second per square centimeter; the viscosity of a fluid in which a force of one dyne per square centimeter maintains a velocity of 1 centimeter per second
Balance
(uncountable) The overall result of conflicting forces, opinions etc.; the influence which ultimately "weighs" more than others.
The balance of power finally lay with the Royalist forces.
I think the balance of opinion is that we should get out while we're ahead.
Poise
A state of being balanced in a stable equilibrium
Balance
(uncountable) Apparent harmony in art (between differing colours, sounds, etc.).
Poise
Great coolness and composure under strain;
Keep your cool
Balance
(accounting) A list accounting for the debits on one side, and for the credits on the other.
Poise
Be motionless, in suspension;
The bird poised for a few moments before it attacked
Balance
(accounting) The result of such a procedure; the difference between credit and debit of an account.
I just need to nip to a bank and check my balance.
Poise
Prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult
Balance
(watchmaking) A device used to regulate the speed of a watch, clock etc.
Poise
Cause to be balanced or suspended
Balance
The remainder.
The balance of the agreement remains in effect.
The invoice said he had only paid $50. The balance was $220.
Poise
Hold or carry in equilibrium
Balance
Libra.
Poise
A manner of holding or positioning oneself.
The model struck a poise for the camera.
Balance
(transitive) To bring (items) to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights.
Poise
To hold or carry in equilibrium.
She poised the book on her head.
Balance
To make (concepts) agree.
Balance
(transitive) To hold (an object or objects) precariously; to support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling.
I balanced my mug of coffee on my knee.
The circus performer balances a plate on the end of a baton.
Balance
(transitive) To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.
Balance
To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally.
To balance partners
Balance
(nautical) To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass.
To balance the boom mainsail
Balance
(transitive) To make the credits and debits of (an account) correspond.
This final payment, or credit, balances the account.
To balance a set of books
Balance
(intransitive) To be in equilibrium.
Balance
(intransitive) To have matching credits and debits.
Balance
To weigh in a balance.
Balance
To hesitate or fluctuate.
Balance
An apparatus for weighing.
Balance
Act of weighing mentally; comparison; estimate.
A fair balance of the advantages on either side.
Balance
Equipoise between the weights in opposite scales.
Balance
The state of being in equipoise; equilibrium; even adjustment; steadiness.
And hung a bottle on each sideTo make his balance true.
The order and balance of the country were destroyed.
English workmen completely lose their balance.
Balance
An equality between the sums total of the two sides of an account; as, to bring one's accounts to a balance; - also, the excess on either side; as, the balance of an account.
I still think the balance of probabilities leans towards the account given in the text.
Balance
A balance wheel, as of a watch, or clock. See Balance wheel (in the Vocabulary).
Balance
The constellation Libra.
Balance
To bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights; to weigh in a balance.
Balance
To support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling; as, to balance a plate on the end of a cane; to balance one's self on a tight rope.
Balance
To equal in number, weight, force, or proportion; to counterpoise, counterbalance, counteract, or neutralize.
One expression . . . must check and balance another.
Balance
To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.
Balance the good and evil of things.
Balance
To settle and adjust, as an account; to make two accounts equal by paying the difference between them.
I am very well satisfied that it is not in my power to balance accounts with my Maker.
Balance
To make the sums of the debits and credits of an account equal; - said of an item; as, this payment, or credit, balances the account.
Balance
To arrange accounts in such a way that the sum total of the debits is equal to the sum total of the credits; as, to balance a set of books.
Balance
To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally; as, to balance partners.
Balance
To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass; as, to balance the boom mainsail.
Balance
To have equal weight on each side; to be in equipoise; as, the scales balance.
Balance
To fluctuate between motives which appear of equal force; to waver; to hesitate.
He would not balance or err in the determination of his choice.
Balance
To move toward a person or couple, and then back.
Balance
A state of equilibrium
Balance
A scale for weighing; depends on pull of gravity
Balance
Equality between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account
Balance
Harmonious arrangement or relation of parts or elements within a whole (as in a design);
In all perfectly beautiful objects there is found the opposition of one part to another and a reciprocal balance
Balance
Equality of distribution
Balance
Something left after other parts have been taken away;
There was no remainder
He threw away the rest
He took what he wanted and I got the balance
Balance
The difference between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account
Balance
(astrology) a person who is born while the sun in in Libra
Balance
The seventh sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about September 23 to October 22
Balance
(mathematics) an attribute of a shape or relation; exact correspondence of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane
Balance
An equivalent counterbalancing weight
Balance
A wheel that regulates the rate of movement in a machine; especially a wheel oscillating against the hairspring of a timepiece to regulate its beat
Balance
Bring into balance or equilibrium;
She has to balance work and her domestic duties
Balance the two weights
Balance
Compute credits and debits of an account
Balance
Hold or carry in equilibrium
Balance
Be in equilibrium;
He was balancing on one foot
Balance
Stability achieved when two opposing forces are equal.
The seesaw reached a balance.
Balance
The remaining amount in an account.
Check the balance in your savings account.
FAQs
Can "balance" be a verb?
Yes, as in "balance the books."
Can "poise" refer to physical balance?
Yes, it can mean a state of balance or equilibrium.
Are "balance" and "poise" synonyms?
They're related but have distinct nuances; "balance" denotes stability, "poise" suggests graceful composure.
Is "balance" used in financial contexts?
Yes, like checking the "balance" in an account.
How do "balance" and "poise" relate to equilibrium?
Both imply a type of equilibrium, but "poise" adds an element of grace and control.
How does "poise" relate to behavior?
It refers to a composed, dignified manner, especially under pressure.
Is "poise" often used in the context of posture?
Yes, referring to a graceful or controlled manner of holding oneself.
Can "balance" imply emotional stability?
Yes, like maintaining a "balance" between stress and relaxation.
Is "poise" always about gracefulness?
Mostly, but it can also mean simple equilibrium.
Can "balance" refer to a tool?
Yes, a "balance" can be a tool for measuring weight.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
