# balance

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈbæləns/ · frequency rank #1,782

## Definitions
1. A state in which opposing forces harmonise; equilibrium.
2. Mental equilibrium; mental health; calmness, a state of remaining clear-headed and unperturbed.
3. Something of equal weight used to provide equilibrium; counterweight.
4. A pair of scales.
5. Awareness of both viewpoints or matters; neutrality; rationality; objectivity.
6. The overall result of conflicting forces, opinions etc.; the influence which ultimately "weighs" more than others.
7. Apparent harmony in art (between differing colours, sounds, etc.).
8. A list accounting for the debits on one side, and for the credits on the other.
9. The result of such a procedure; the difference between credit and debit of an account.
10. A device used to regulate the speed of a watch, clock etc.
11. The remainder.
12. Libra.

## Etymology
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *dwóh₁
Proto-Indo-European *dwi-
Proto-Italic *dwi-
Latin bi-
Latin lanx
Latin bilanx
Vulgar Latin *bilancia
Old French balancebor.
Middle English balaunce
English balance
From Middle English balaunce, from Old French balance, from Late Latin *bilancia, from (accusative form of) Latin bilanx (“two-scaled”), from bi- + lanx (“plate, scale”).
Displaced the word — Old English wǣġ akin to Modern English: wey from Proto-West Germanic *wāgu (“scales; weight”).

## Easily confused with
- **blanc** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balance-vs-blanc)
- **blanco** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balance-vs-blanco)
- **Blanche** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balance-vs-blanche)
- **balanced** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balance-vs-balanced)
- **Balances** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balance-vs-balances)

## Common misspellings (11)
`ablance`, `baalnce`, `balacne`, `balancce`, `balanec`, `balannce`, `balence`, `ballance`, `balnace`, `bbalance`, `blaance`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/balance