balance
/'bæləns/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A state of equilibrium or stability: A condition where different elements are equal or in correct proportions.
- An instrument for weighing: A device that compares masses, typically using a beam and pans.
- A remainder or amount left over: The part that remains after other parts have been accounted for.
- Harmonious arrangement: A pleasing or coherent proportion of parts within a whole.
- A difference in an account: The difference between the credit and debit totals.
Verb:
- To keep or put something in a steady position: To hold something so it does not fall.
- To offset or compare the value of one thing against another: To consider different factors to achieve fairness or stability.
- To be equal in value, weight, or force: To be in a state where opposing forces or elements are matched.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- She lost her balance and fell on the ice. (She became unsteady and fell.)
- The chemist used a precision balance to measure the powder. (The chemist used a weighing instrument.)
- You can keep the balance of the payment. (You can keep the remaining amount.)
Verb:
- The gymnast can balance on the beam for a full minute. (The gymnast can maintain a steady position.)
- It's difficult to balance the demands of work and family. (It's hard to manage different demands fairly.)
- The two sides of the equation balance perfectly. (The two sides are equal.)
Advanced Usage
- "To be/hang in the balance": To be in an uncertain or undecided state.
- The future of the project hangs in the balance. (The project's future is uncertain.)
- "To strike a balance": To find a good compromise between two things.
- We need to strike a balance between cost and quality. (We need to find a good middle point.)
- "On balance": After considering all factors.
- On balance, the benefits outweigh the risks. (Overall, considering everything.)
Variants and Related Words
- Balanced (adj): Being in a state of balance; sensible and fair.
- She gave a balanced opinion on the issue.
- Balancing act (n): A difficult situation requiring careful management of opposing needs.
- Managing the budget is a real balancing act.
- Counterbalance (n/v): A weight or force that balances another.
- The dark color acts as a counterbalance to the bright ones.
Synonyms
- Equilibrium (n): A state of physical balance.
- Stability (n): The quality of being steady and not changing.
- Remainder (n): The part that is left over.
- Weigh (v): To assess the value or importance of something.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Balance out: To become equal or to make things equal.
- The extra costs in one area balance out the savings in another.
- Balance against: To compare or contrast one thing with another.
- The advantages must be balanced against the potential disadvantages.
Related Idioms
- Tip/throw the balance: To be the factor that decides something.
- His final argument tipped the balance in their favor.
- Off balance: In an unsteady position; surprised or confused.
- The sudden question caught him off balance.
Noun
- a scale for weighing; depends on pull of gravity
- 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
- a weight that balances another weight
- (mathematics) an attribute of a shape or relation; exact reflection of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane
- the seventh sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about September 23 to October 22
- (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Libra
- the difference between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account
- 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
- equality of distribution
- 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- John Ruskin
- equality between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account
- a state of equilibrium
Verb
- be in equilibrium
- He was balancing on one foot
- hold or carry in equilibrium
- compute credits and debits of an account
- bring into balance or equilibrium
- She has to balance work and her domestic duties
- balance the two weights