What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
primed
Example
I'm primed and ready to give my presentation. [primed: adjective]
Example
She primed herself for the difficult conversation ahead. [primed: verb]
poised
Example
The gymnast was poised on the balance beam. [poised: adjective]
Example
He remained poised and confident during the job interview. [poised: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Poised is more commonly used than primed in everyday language. Poised is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while primed is less common and can sometimes have a negative connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between primed and poised?
Both primed and poised are relatively formal words, but poised is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while primed is less common and may be more appropriate in formal or technical writing.
