poised

/pɔɪzd/

/pɔɪzd/

If you're poised you're self-possessed and in full control of your faculties. You're balanced, grounded, and ready for action.

A poised person exhibits composure and self-assuredness, which comes in handy, for instance, during a job interview, giving a public talk or debate, or playing sports. Watching the Olympics, you may wonder how gymnasts remain so poised when competing on the balance beam, considered the sport's most mentally and physically challenging event. Poised also means ready or on the verge: You can be poised for a leadership position, poised for battle, or poised to become music's next pop star.

Definitions of poised

1. adjective

   marked by balance or equilibrium and readiness for action
   “a gull in poised flight”

   “George's poised hammer”

   synonyms:

   balanced

   being in a state of proper equilibrium
2. adjective

   in full control of your faculties
   “perfectly poised and sure of himself”

   synonyms: collected, equanimous, self-collected, self-contained, self-possessed

   composed

   serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress