—balance /ˈbæl.əns/
noun (EQUAL STATE)
B2 [S or U] a state where things are of equal weight or force:
» The toddler wobbled and lost his balance (= started to fall sideways).» She had to hold onto the railings to keep her balance (= to stop herself from falling).» New tax measures are designed to redress the balance (= make the situation more equal) between rich and poor.» We must strike a balance between reckless spending and penny-pinching (= try to have something between these two things).→ SYNONYM EQUILIBRIUM(Cf. ↑equilibrium)Thesaurus+: ↑Balance and imbalanceF0 [U] The balance on a piece of electronic equipment for playing music is the particular mixture of different sounds, or the device that controls this.
Thesaurus+: ↑Recording sounds and imagesThesaurus+: ↑Amplifiers, microphones and speakerson balanceB2 after thinking about all the different facts or opinions:
» I would say that, on balance, it hasn't been a bad year.Thesaurus+: ↑Balance and imbalanceWord partners for balance noun (EQUAL)• ♯keep/♯redress/♯restore the balance• ♯find/♯get/♯maintain/♯strike a balance (between sth and sth)• ♯alter/♯change/♯shift/♯upset the balance• ♯keep/♯lose your balance• ♯knock/♯push/♯throw sb/sth off balance• a ♯careful/♯delicate/♯fine balance• ♯in/♯out of balanceCollocations:–Verbs-lu. keep/redress/regain/restore the balance» New tax measures are designed to redress the balance between rich and poor.-lu. find/get/maintain/strike a balance (between sth and sth)» It's important to strike a balance between the needs of each individual and the needs of the group as a whole.-lu. adjust/affect/alter/change/shift the balance» These factors affect the balance of power between social classes.-lu. tilt/tip/upset the balance» A result like that could tip the balance in George's favour.-lu. keep/lose your balance» I tripped over a tree root and lost my balance.-lu. catch/keep sb/sth off balance» She was caught off balance by some awkward questions.-lu. jerk/knock/push/throw sb/sthoff balance» With his best football tackle he knocked the man off balance and pulled him to the ground.-lu. the balance shifts» He was very dependent on his wife, but the balance shifted when she became ill.–Adjectives-lu. careful/delicate/fine balance» There's often a delicate balance between work and family responsibilities.-lu. better/correct/good/healthy/ideal/perfect balance» These measures should facilitate a better balance of resources.-lu. proper/reasonable/right balance» Katy seems to have worked out a reasonable balance between work and leisure.–Types-lu. military/political/racial/work-life balance» The racial balance has shifted in many city centre schools.–Phrases-lu. hang in the balance» The match hung in the balance until the final minute.–Prepositions-lu. in/into balance» I have a variety of interests to keep my life in balance.-lu. out of balance» It's easy to feel anxious when your hormones are out of balance.-lu. on balance» On balance we felt that Adrian was the better candidate.-lu. balance between» This will help to preserve the balance between environmental and other interests.–Nouns-lu. lack/loss of balance» Symptoms include muscle weakness and loss of balance.-lu. question/sense of balance» She managed to retain her sense of balance throughout a very difficult situation.-lu. balance of power/terror» This decision represents a dramatic shift in the political balance of power.• • •
Extra Examples:» He lost his balance and tumbled over.» The question threw him off balance for a moment.» Teachers need to strike a delicate balance between instructing their pupils and letting them discover things for themselves.» Most managers, politicians and bosses are men - how can women redress the balance ?» The shift in the balance of power in the region has had far-reaching consequences.noun (MONEY)
B2 [C usually singular] the amount of money you have in a bank account, or the amount of something that you have left after you have spent or used up the rest:
» Once we know how much money we'll need, let's spend the balance (= the amount left).» The company's success is reflected in its healthy bank balance.Thesaurus+: ↑Things remainingThesaurus+: ↑General words for amounts of money , ↑Large amounts of money , ↑Small amounts of moneyF0 [U] INDIAN ENGLISH the money that is returned to someone who has paid for something that costs less than the amount that they gave
→ SEE ALSO CHANGE(Cf. ↑change) noun (MONEY)Word partners for balance noun (EQUAL)• ♯keep/♯redress/♯restore the balance• ♯find/♯get/♯maintain/♯strike a balance (between sth and sth)• ♯alter/♯change/♯shift/♯upset the balance• ♯keep/♯lose your balance• ♯knock/♯push/♯throw sb/sth off balance• a ♯careful/♯delicate/♯fine balance• ♯in/♯out of balanceCollocations:–Types-lu. account/bank/cash/loan/trade balance» My bank balance is looking quite healthy at the moment.–Adjectives-lu. minimum balance» Interest soon mounts up if you only pay the minimum balance on your credit card.–Verbs-lu. carry a balance» I don't carry a balance on my credit card, I usually pay it off each month.noun [C] (WEIGHING MACHINE)
► F0 a device used for weighing things, consisting of two dishes hanging on a bar that shows when the contents of both dishes weigh the sameThesaurus+: ↑Weighing, measuring and counting devicesWord partners for balance noun (EQUAL)• ♯keep/♯redress/♯restore the balance• ♯find/♯get/♯maintain/♯strike a balance (between sth and sth)• ♯alter/♯change/♯shift/♯upset the balance• ♯keep/♯lose your balance• ♯knock/♯push/♯throw sb/sth off balance• a ♯careful/♯delicate/♯fine balance• ♯in/♯out of balanceverb ↑Verb Endings for balance
B2 [I or T] to be in a position where you will stand without falling to either side, or to put something in this position:
» The flamingos balanced gracefully on one leg.» She balanced a huge pot effortlessly on her head and walked down to the river.Thesaurus+: ↑Balance and imbalanceB2 [T] to give several things equal amounts of importance, time, or money so that a situation is successful:
» I struggle to balance work and family commitments.Thesaurus+: ↑Balance and imbalanceF0 [T] to arrange a system that relates to money so that the amount of money spent is not more than the amount received:
» Stringent measures were introduced so that the government could balance its budget/the economy.Thesaurus+: ↑AccountingThesaurus+: ↑Budgeting and saving moneybalance the booksF0 to make certain that the amount of money spent is not more than the amount of money received:
» If the business loses any more money, we won't be able to balance the books this year.Thesaurus+: ↑AccountingThesaurus+: ↑Budgeting and saving money• • •
Extra Examples:» Her suitcase was precariously balanced on the tiny luggage rack above her head.» A see-saw balances at its fulcrum.» The wine has just enough dryness to balance its fruitiness.» Discover how eating raw food helps balance your body and aids digestion.» At the moment the election seems balanced on a knife-edge.- aerosol
- aerospace
- aesthete
- aesthetic
- aesthetically
- aesthetics
- aetiology
- a fact of life
- afaik
- a fair crack of the whip
- a fair hearing
- afar
- a fate worse than death
- AFDC
- a feather in your cap
- a feel for sth
- a few
- a few/couple of steps
- a few well-chosen words
- affability
- affable
- affably
- affair
- affairs of state
- affect