balance

Pluralbalances (some meanings)

Formsbalances, balancing, balanced

1. 1
   equilibriumnoununcountable

   A state where forces or weights are even, including staying steady on your feet so you do not fall.

   Like a seesaw that stays level when two kids weigh the same.

   He held his arms out to keep his balance.

   The two sides had a fair balance of power.

   UsageSay a balance between two things. You can keep or lose your balance.

   Similarequilibrium, parity, equality, stability, evenness

   Oppositeimbalance, disequilibrium, instability

   Note
2. 2
   satisfy bothverbfigurativelytransitive

   To make different ideas or needs fit together well.

   Like fitting puzzle pieces so they all match up neatly.

   She tries to balance work and family time.

   Good leaders balance many different needs at once.

   UsageBalance work with family.

   Similarreconcile, harmonize, offset

3. 3
   account totalnouncountable or uncountable

   The amount of money left in an account after adding and taking away.

   Like what's left in your piggy bank after you take some coins out.

   She checked her bank balance before paying the rent.

   After the deposit, the account balance rose to two thousand dollars.

   UsageSay check my balance or bank balance.

   Note
4. 4
   harmony (art)noununcountable

   A pleasing match between different colors, sounds, or parts in a work of art.

   Like a song where no instrument is too loud or too quiet.

   The painting has a nice balance between bright and dark colors.

   The song's balance of fast and slow parts makes it easy to enjoy.

   Similarharmony, proportion, symmetry

   Oppositeimbalance, disharmony

5. 5
   not fallverbintransitive

   To stay steady without falling, or to hold something so it does not fall.

   Like a spinning top that stays upright as long as it keeps turning.

   Acrobats balance on a thin wire high above the crowd.

   Try to balance on one foot for ten seconds.

   UsageSay balance on one foot.

6. 6
   equal the weightsverbtransitive

   To adjust weights so that two sides weigh the same.

   Like adding marbles to one side of a seesaw until it sits level.

   The cook balanced the scale by adding small weights.

   You need to balance the load so the cart sits level.

   Similarequalize, level, even

   Oppositeunbalance

7. 7
   amount leftnouncountable or uncountable

   The part of an amount that is left over.

   Like the slice of pizza still on the plate after everyone has taken some.

   You can pay the balance of the bill next week.

   After the deposit, the balance is due on delivery.

   UsageSay pay the balance for the rest of the money.

   Similarremainder, rest, residue

   Note
8. 8
   match the booksverbtransitive

   To make the money coming in and going out in an account add up correctly.

   Like making both sides of a seesaw weigh the same.

   He needs to balance his accounts before filing his taxes.

   She balanced the checkbook at the end of every week.

   UsageSay balance the books.

   Similarreconcile, square

   Note
9. 9
   fairnessnoununcountable

   A fair way of seeing both sides of something.

   Like a referee who treats both teams the same.

   A good judge shows balance when hearing both sides.

   The report had real balance, giving each party fair space.

   UsageFair reports have balance. They are balanced.

   Similarfairness, impartiality, objectivity, neutrality, evenhandedness

   Oppositebias, partiality, partisanship

10. 10
    calm mindnoununcountable

    A calm, steady state of mind that helps you think clearly.

    Like a calm lake that stays still even when the wind blows.

    She kept her balance even when the news was upsetting.

    Meditation helps him find balance during stressful days.

    UsageYou can lose or regain your balance.

    Similarcomposure, equanimity, poise, stability, equilibrium

    Oppositeinstability

11. 11
    account sheetnouncountable or uncountable

    A record showing money coming in on one side and money going out on the other.

    Like a scoreboard with points won on one side and points lost on the other.

    Every month, the bookkeeper prepares a trial balance for the shop.

    The trial balance showed that the debits and credits did not match.

    UsageSay trial balance.

    Note
12. 12
    which side winsnoununcountable

    The side that finally counts most when forces or opinions pull against each other.

    Like a tug-of-war where one team finally pulls the rope over the line.

    The balance of opinion shifted toward closing the factory.

    In the end, the balance fell in favor of peace.

    UsageOn balance means after thinking about everything.

    Similarweight

    Note
13. 13
    weigh upverbtransitive

    To weigh two things against each other to see which matters more.

    Like putting two things on a scale to see which one is heavier.

    We need to balance the costs and the benefits before we decide.

    She balanced the risks against the rewards of the new job.

    UsageBalance good points against bad points.

    Similarweigh, compare

    Note
14. 14
    counterweightnouncountable or uncountable

    Something used on one side to even out a weight on the other side.

    Like sitting on the empty end of a seesaw to lift a heavier friend.

    The heavy base acts as a balance for the tall lamp.

    Her calm nature is a good balance to his quick temper.

    UsageSay a balance for or a balance to something: a good balance to his temper.

    Similarcounterweight, counterpoise, offset

    Note

Showing meanings only. Show all 21