balanced

IPA/ˈbælənst/
KK[bˈælənst]IPA/ˈbælənst/

balanced — adjective

  • balancedpositive
  • more balancedcomparative
  • most balancedsuperlative

1. giving equal attention to different sides or opinions, without clearly supportin

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

giving equal attention to different sides or opinions, without clearly supporting one more than another

Example

The judge gave a balanced view of both families' claims in court.

balanced view of both sides

Aiko's article stayed balanced even after angry readers sent emails.

linking verb: stayed balanced

Common collocations
  • balanced view
  • balanced report
  • balanced discussion
  • balanced interview
  • balanced judgment
Synonyms
  • fair

    is the broad everyday word for treating sides equally

  • impartial

    is more formal and stresses lack of personal bias

  • objective

    stresses judgment based on facts rather than feelings

  • even-handed

    is formal and often used for equal treatment of opposing groups

Antonyms
  • biased

    suggests unfair support for one side

  • one-sided

    is especially common for reports, arguments, or discussions

  • unfair

    is the broad opposite in everyday English

Grammar Patterns

a balanced view

a balanced report

remain balanced

sound balanced

Usage Note

Often used for reports, discussions, judgments, and people speaking about a disputed issue. Distinguish from adjective/2, which is about the mix or amount of parts rather than fairness between views.

Common Mistakes

The lunch was balanced because the teacher heard both students.
The teacher was balanced because she heard both students.
adjective/1 is about fair judgment, not food or another mixture.
The report was very balance.
The report was very balanced.
after be, use the adjective balanced.

2. made up of parts, foods, or groups in suitable amounts, so one part does not gre

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

made up of parts, foods, or groups in suitable amounts, so one part does not greatly outweigh the others

Example

The lunch box had a balanced meal with rice, eggs, and fruit.

collocation: balanced meal

Our class feels balanced now, with ten boys and ten girls.

balanced numbers in a group

Common collocations
  • balanced diet
  • balanced meal
  • balanced team
  • balanced class
  • balanced schedule
Synonyms
  • even

    stresses similar numbers, levels, or amounts

  • proportionate

    is more formal and stresses that parts match each other properly

  • well-proportioned

    often describes parts arranged in pleasing or suitable amounts

Antonyms
  • unbalanced

    is the direct opposite when one part has too much weight or force

  • uneven

    stresses that the amounts or numbers do not match

  • lopsided

    suggests a strong and noticeable tilt to one side

Grammar Patterns

a balanced diet

a balanced team

feel balanced

stay balanced

Usage Note

Common with diet, meal, team, class, schedule, and system. For a fair treatment of opinions or arguments, use adjective/1 instead.

Common Mistakes

The news story was balanced because it had fruit and bread.
The lunch was balanced because it had fruit and bread.
adjective/2 is about the mix of parts, not fairness between opinions.
My diet is very balance.
My diet is very balanced.
use the adjective form after be.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Balanced is useful when someone or something gives serious attention to more than one side. Fair is the broad everyday word and can describe treatment, rules, or results. Impartial is more formal and strongly suggests no personal interest or favoritism, especially in law, politics, or news. Objective stresses decisions based on facts rather than feelings, so it can sound cooler and more analytical than balanced. Even-handed is also formal and often suggests equal treatment of opposing groups. A balanced report presents both sides, an objective report focuses on evidence, an impartial judge has no bias, and a fair decision feels just.

fair ↗impartial ↗objective ↗even-handed ↗

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Balanced comes from the verb balance plus the adjective ending -ed. Balance entered English through French from Latin bilanx, a word for a two-pan scale: bi- meant 'two' and lanx meant 'dish' or 'scale pan'. Because a scale keeps two sides in proper relation, balanced first suggested physical evenness and later developed meanings such as fair judgment and the right mix of parts.