What does counterbalance mean?
Word: Counterbalance
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Counterbalance means a weight or a force that evens out another one, or something that has an equal and opposite effect. It is also used as a verb.
Synonyms: offset
Word origin: Formed in English in the late 1500s: a prefix meaning 'against' joined to an older word for a pair of weighing scales, from Latin bilanx, 'having two scale pans'.
How do you spell counterbalance?
Syllables: coun - ter - bal - ance
Tricky part: The bal in the middle has a single l. Students who think of a ball double it.
Watch out for: counterballance, counterbalanse
Memory tip: Don't let a ball roll into the middle: the bal there has one l, never two.
Counterbalance in a sentence
Example 1: The heavy concrete block at the back of the crane acts as a counterbalance to the load.
Example 2: Her calm nature is a good counterbalance to her brother's quick temper.
Example 3: Tightrope walkers often carry a long pole as a counterbalance.
Fun Fact
Most lifts hang a heavy counterbalance weight on the other end of their cables, so the motor only has to lift the difference between the car and the weight.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) accountant
b) encounter
c) conterbalance
d) mountainous
Show answer
c) conterbalance. The first part is counter, which keeps the ou of count.
Word Champ
Read the statements and choose the correct option:
1. A counterbalance is a sudden push that makes something fall over. 2. Ballast is heavy material placed in a ship to keep it steady. 3. A fulcrum is the point on which a lever turns.
a) all three are true
b) only 3 is true
c) only 2 and 3 are true
d) only 1 and 2 are true
Show answer
c) only 2 and 3 are true. A counterbalance steadies things rather than knocking them over, so statement 1 is false.
Jumble Tumble
What is the meaning of the word that can be formed from the given letters?
nnebltcaocarue
a) a tall tower that holds water
b) a person who keeps a shop's accounts
c) a load that stops another load from tipping something over
d) a copy of a document made by hand
Show answer
c) a load that stops another load from tipping something over. Fourteen letters, one long word: counterbalance.
Spellacadabra
Choose the correct option to make a meaningful word:
counterbal____
a) ants
b) ance
c) ence
d) ense
Show answer
b) ance. Like allowance and appearance, it finishes in -ance.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. In a debate, a counterbalance to a strong argument would be ___.
a) a loud cheer from the audience
b) an equally strong argument on the other side
c) a long silence
d) the same argument repeated
Show answer
b) an equally strong argument on the other side
2. On a seesaw, a good counterbalance for a heavy child would be ___.
a) a school bag left on the ground
b) a child of similar weight at the other end
c) an empty seat in the middle
d) a child sitting right next to her
Show answer
b) a child of similar weight at the other end
