Balanced means having different parts arranged in the right proportions so nothing tips too far in one direction. A seesaw is balanced when two kids of similar weight sit at equal distances from the center, neither side stuck in the air or on the ground. A balanced breakfast includes proteins, fruits, and grains rather than just sugary cereal.

The word suggests careful attention to how things work together. A balanced budget means you're not spending far more money than you're earning. A balanced story presents different viewpoints fairly rather than favoring just one side. When you're physically balanced, like standing on one foot or riding a bicycle, your body adjusts constantly to keep you from falling over.

People talk about work-life balance, meaning they're trying to give appropriate time to their job, their family, their friends, and themselves rather than obsessing over just one area. A balanced person stays calm and reasonable rather than overreacting to problems. Scientists design balanced experiments where they control variables carefully to get reliable results.

The opposite of balanced is unbalanced or lopsided: a basketball team with five great shooters but no one focused on defense, a meal of nothing but desserts, or a friendship where one person does all the talking and the other just listens.