balance
balance
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "balance" is:
ˈbæləns
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
ˈbæl:
ˈb: Voiced bilabial plosive
æ: Near-open front unrounded vowel
l: Voiced alveolar lateral approximant
əns:
ə: Mid-central vowel
n: Voiced alveolar nasal
s: Voiceless alveolar sibilant
Word Form Variations
Noun:
balance (singular)
balances (plural)
Verb:
balance (present tense)
balances (present tense, third person singular)
balanced (past tense)
balancing (present participle)
Adjective:
balanced
unbalanced
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA.
Register Now.
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA. Register Now.
Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun
Definition: A state of equilibrium or steadiness; a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportion.
Synonyms: equilibrium, stability, evenness, symmetry
Antonyms: imbalance, instability, unevenness, asymmetry
Verb
Definition: To bring into or maintain a state of equilibrium; to counterbalance.
Synonyms: counterbalance, offset, compensate, equalize
Antonyms: unbalance, upset, destabilize
Adjective
Definition: In a state of equilibrium; steady; poised.
Synonyms: even, steady, poised, level-headed
Antonyms: unbalanced, unsteady, unpoised, erratic
Examples of Use
Noun:
Financial Balance: "The company's financial balance sheet showed a healthy profit margin." (Annual Report, XYZ Corporation)
Work-Life Balance: "Striking a balance between work and personal life is crucial for overall well-being." (Healthline article)
Environmental Balance: "Maintaining ecological balance is essential for the planet's sustainability." (Scientific American article)
Verb:
Balancing Act: "The tightrope walker balanced precariously on the high wire." (Circus performance)
Balancing Equations: "In chemistry, we balance equations to ensure mass and charge are conserved." (Textbook: Chemistry: The Central Science)
Balancing Diet: "A balanced diet includes a variety of nutrients to maintain good health." (Nutritionist's advice)
Adjective:
Balanced Diet: "A balanced diet is essential for a healthy lifestyle." (Health magazine)
Balanced Personality: "She has a balanced personality, calm and collected." (Character description in a novel)
Balanced Opinion: "The article presented a balanced opinion on the controversial issue." (Newspaper editorial)
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA.
Register Now.
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA. Register Now.
10 Famous Quotes Using the term Balance
"Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm, and harmony." — Thomas Merton
"Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create." — Jana Kingsford
"In all aspects of life, balance is key. Doing one thing too much can cause upset, like the old saying goes, everything in moderation is the secret!" — Catherine Pulsifer
"Balance, peace, and joy are the fruit of a successful life. It starts with recognizing your talents and finding ways to serve others by using them." — Thomas Kinkade
"Live a life that is well balanced; don’t do things in excess." — Daniel Smith
"The key to keeping your balance is knowing when you’ve lost it." — Anonymous
"Balance is not better time management, but better boundary management. Balance means making choices and enjoying those choices." — Betsy Jacobson
"The calm and balanced mind is the strong and great mind; the hurried and agitated mind is the weak one." — Wallace D. Wattles
"Balance is the perfect state of still water. Let that be our model. It remains quiet within and is not disturbed on the surface." — Confucius
"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." — Albert Einstein
Etymology
The word "balance" comes from the Latin word "bilanx," which means "two-scaled." This referred to a type of scale used to weigh things, with two pans hanging from a beam.
Over time, the word evolved to mean a state of equilibrium or steadiness, much like a balanced scale. The first known use of "balance" in English was in the 13th century, and it referred to a weighing instrument.
From there, the meaning expanded to include ideas of fairness, proportion, and harmony. Today, we use "balance" in many different ways, from financial balance to work-life balance, showing how the concept of equilibrium has spread across various aspects of life.
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA.
Register Now.
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA. Register Now.
Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Balance
In the balance: This means that the outcome of a situation is uncertain or undecided.
On balance: This means considering all the factors of a situation.
Strike a balance: This means to find a compromise or middle ground between two opposing things.
Tip the balance: This means to sway the outcome of a situation in one direction or another.
Redress the balance: This means to restore fairness or equality to a situation.
Hang in the balance: Similar to "in the balance," this means that the outcome is uncertain.
Off balance: This means to be surprised or unprepared.
Checks and balances: This refers to a system where different parts of a government have the power to limit each other, ensuring no one part becomes too powerful.
While "balance" itself isn't directly used in many idiomatic expressions, its synonyms and related concepts appear in various phrases, such as:
Even keel: This means to be stable and calm.
Level playing field: This means that everyone has an equal chance.
Weigh the pros and cons: This means to consider the advantages and disadvantages of a situation.
Posts Related to Balance
Source Information
Definition of balance from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
