What is balance? Pronunciation and usage in English

balance means . Learn how to pronounce and use balance through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of balance

balancenoun/verb

/ˈbaləns/
Definition & pronunciation of balance

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "balance" in English. Here's a breakdown with phonetic spelling and tips:

Phonetic Spelling: /ˈbæləns/

Let's break that down:

  • ˈbæləns - This represents the whole word.
    • ˈbæ - This is the stressed syllable. It’s pronounced like “bah” (as in “bath”). The ‘ˈ’ symbol means it’s the stressed syllable – it’s the part of the word that gets emphasized when you say it.
    • ləns - This part is pronounced like "lens". It's a quick, light syllable.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

  1. "b": Pronounce it as in "boy" – a short, clear "b" sound.

  2. "a": This is a short, open "ah" sound, like in the word "father." It’s not as long as the "a" in "apple."

  3. "l": Pronounce it as in "light".

  4. "a": Again, the short, open "ah" sound as in "father."

  5. "n": Pronounce it as in "no."

  6. "c": Pronounce it like "s" (as in "sun"). This is a very common quirk in American English.

  7. "e": Pronounce it as in "bed." A short, quiet "e" sound.

Tips for Saying it Right:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "balance"?

Usage and examples with the word balance in English

Let's break down how to use the word "balance" in English. It's a wonderfully versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. Physical Balance:

  • Definition: The ability to stay upright and stable, preventing yourself from falling.
  • Examples:
    • "She struggled to balance on the narrow beam."
    • "He has excellent balance for a dancer."
    • "The uneven ground made it difficult to balance."

2. Accounting/Finance – Balancing a Ledger:

  • Definition: To make sure that the total of all entries in an account (like a bank account or a ledger) is equal on both sides.
  • Examples:
    • "Please balance the checkbook to ensure all transactions are accounted for."
    • "The accountant needs to balance the company’s books."
    • "It’s crucial to balance the budget each month."

3. Equilibrium/Harmony (General Sense):

  • Definition: To be in a state of having equal parts or elements, creating a stable and harmonious situation. This is a very common usage.
  • Examples:
    • "A healthy diet helps to balance your energy levels."
    • "He tries to balance work and family life." (Meaning to find a good distribution of time and effort)
    • "The speaker eloquently balanced humor and serious points." (Meaning to combine different elements effectively)
    • "The artist worked to balance the colors in the painting."

4. Balancing Act (Figurative - Difficulty & Compromise):

  • Definition: A situation where you have to manage conflicting demands or priorities, often requiring compromise.
  • Examples:
    • "Raising a family and pursuing a career is a constant balancing act."
    • "She’s doing a great job of balancing her personal life with her ambition."

5. A Balancing Point (Point of Equilibrium):

  • Definition: The point at which opposing forces are equal, resulting in stability.
  • Examples:
    • "The rope hung in balance before it snapped."
    • "The judge sought to balance the rights of the accused with the need for public safety."

6. "Balance" as a Noun - A Counterweight or Support:

  • Definition: Something that supports something else, often used in mechanics or a metaphorical sense.
  • Examples:
    • "The balance wheel in a clock keeps it running."
    • "She found a balance of support from her friends and family.” (Meaning a supportive network)

7. "Balance" as a Verb - To Adjust or Moderate:

  • Definition: To make something equal or moderate.
  • Examples:
    • “He needs to balance his expenses with his income.”
    • “She attempted to balance the scales of justice.” (referring to fairness)

Key Tips for Using "Balance" Effectively:

  • Context is crucial: The meaning of "balance" depends heavily on the surrounding words.
  • Think about opposites: Often, "balance" is used in contrast to something that is unbalanced, unequal, or unstable.
  • Figurative Language: "Balance" is frequently used in metaphors to describe complex situations.

Resources for More Examples:

Would you like me to:

  • Give you more examples of a specific usage of "balance"?
  • Help you create a sentence using “balance” in a particular way?

Synonyms for the word balance

Idioms of the word balance

(on) the balance of evidence/probability
(formal)(considering) the evidence on both sides of an argument, to find the most likely reason for or result of something
  • The balance of evidence suggests the Liberal party's decline began before the First World War.
  • The coroner thought that on the balance of probabilities, the pilot had suffered a stroke just before the crash.
(be/hang) in the balance
if the future of something/somebody, or the result of something is/hangs in the balance, it is not certain
  • The long-term future of the space programme hangs in the balance.
  • Tom’s life hung in the balance for two weeks as he lay in a coma.
(catch/throw somebody) off balance
to make somebody unsteady and in danger of falling
  • I was thrown off balance by the sudden gust of wind.
  • The sudden movement threw him off balance.
to make somebody surprised and no longer calm
  • The senator was clearly caught off balance by the unexpected question.
on balance
after considering all the information
  • On balance, the company has had a successful year.
redress the balance
to make a situation equal or fair again
  • For years poorer children have had to put up with a lower quality education, and now is the time to redress the balance.
strike a balance (between A and B)
to manage to find a way of being fair to two things that are opposed to each other; to find an acceptable position that is between two things
  • We need to strike a balance between these conflicting interests.
tip the balance/scales
to affect the result of something in one way rather than another
  • In an interview, smart presentation can tip the balance in your favour.
  • New evidence tipped the balance against the prosecution.

Practice with vocabulary balance

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Managing work and personal life requires a good __________ to avoid burnout.
  2. The gymnast demonstrated incredible __________ on the beam.
  3. It’s important to __________ your expenses to stay within budget.
  4. The chef added a pinch of salt to __________ the flavors in the dish.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which word best describes maintaining stability in life?
    a) harmony
    b) balance
    c) struggle
    d) chaos
  2. What does "equilibrium" mean?
    a) imbalance
    b) equality
    c) balance
    d) tension
  3. To make a fair decision, you need to __________ all the factors.
    a) evaluate
    b) balance
    c) ignore
    d) simplify
  4. Which word means "to adjust proportions"?
    a) align
    b) balance
    c) disrupt
    d) intensify
  5. What is the antonym of "stability"?
    a) harmony
    b) imbalance
    c) symmetry
    d) consistency

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. She manages her time effectively between work and family.
    → She maintains a good __________ between work and family.
  2. The artist ensured that the colors in the painting were proportional.
    → The artist ensured that the colors in the painting were in __________.
  3. The team needs to allocate resources fairly to achieve success.
    → The team needs to distribute resources __________ to achieve success.

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. balance
  2. balance
  3. manage
  4. enhance

Exercise 2:

  1. b) balance
  2. c) balance
  3. b) balance
  4. b) balance
  5. b) imbalance

Exercise 3:

  1. She maintains a good balance between work and family.
  2. The artist ensured that the colors in the painting were in balance.
  3. The team needs to distribute resources equitably to achieve success.

Comment ()