'balancewise' originates from English, specifically the combination of the noun 'balance' and the suffix '-wise', where 'balance' meant 'a state of equilibrium' and '-wise' meant 'in the manner of'.

' -wise' derives from Old English '-wīs' meaning 'manner, way'; English formed many compounds (e.g. 'lengthwise', 'clockwise') by attaching '-wise' to nouns, and 'balance-wise' (later written 'balancewise') arose by analogy with those compounds.

Initially, 'balance' referred primarily to physical equilibrium; over time the compound came to be used generally to mean 'with respect to balance' (including figurative balance such as budgetary or stylistic balance).