calm

1 of 3

noun

ˈkäm  ˈkälm  ˈkam 

ˈkȯ(l)m

1

a

: a period or condition of freedom from storms, high winds, or rough activity of water

a sailing ship motionless in the calm

b

: complete absence of wind or presence of wind having a speed no greater than one mile (1.6 kilometers) per hour see Beaufort Scale Table

2

: a state of tranquility

At dusk a quiet calm settled over the town.

calm

2 of 3

verb

calmed; calming; calms

intransitive verb

: to become calm

—usually used with down

The mayor asked the protesters to calm down so he could speak.

transitive verb

: to make calm

—often used with down

calm him down; get him to be reasonable

—S. H. Adams

calm

3 of 3

adjective

1

: marked by calm : still

a calm sea

2

: free from agitation, excitement, or disturbance

calmly adverb

calmness noun

Synonyms

Noun

• calmness
• hush
• peace
• peacefulness
• placidity
• quiet
• quietness
• quietude
• repose
• restfulness
• sereneness
• serenity
• still
• stillness
• tranquility
• tranquillity

Verb

• becalm
• compose
• lull
• lullaby
• quiet
• quieten [chiefly British]
• salve
• settle
• soothe
• still
• tranquilize
• tranquillize

Adjective

• halcyon
• hushed
• lown [dialect]
• peaceful
• placid
• quiet
• serene
• still
• stilly
• tranquil
• untroubled

Choose the Right Synonym for calm

calm, tranquil, serene, placid, peaceful mean quiet and free from disturbance.

calm often implies a contrast with a foregoing or nearby state of agitation or violence.

the protests ended, and the streets were calm again

tranquil suggests a very deep quietude or composure.

the tranquil beauty of a formal garden

serene stresses an unclouded and lofty tranquility.

watched the sunset of a serene summer's evening

placid suggests an undisturbed appearance and often implies a degree of complacency.

remained placid despite the criticism

peaceful implies a state of repose in contrast with or following strife or turmoil.

grown peaceful in old age

Examples of calm in a Sentence

Noun

After two days of violent protests, the mayor appealed for calm.

The calm was broken by another terrorist bombing.

the calm of a church

Police tried to restore calm after the riot.

A quiet calm settled over the city.

Verb

His words were effective in calming her fears.

The medicine helped calm her breathing.

Adjective

The teacher asked us to remain calm after the fire alarm went off.

Let's try to have a calm discussion about your grades.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

By Chloe Sorvino, Forbes Staff When a recall rocks the food industry as much as the deadly listeria outbreak linked to a Boar’s Head factory in Jarratt, Virginia has, the CEO or owners typically get in front of the news and try to instill a sense of calm. —Chloe Sorvino, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024

The incentive structures in Israel and Lebanon should compel both sets of leaders to de-escalate and energize diplomatic arrangements to restore calm on the border. —Dana Stroul, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2024

Verb

For instance, a high heart rate might trigger an energetic playlist for a workout, while a sudden increase in blood pressure or a change in voice tone could prompt more relaxing tunes to help calm you down. —Paul Lamkin, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024

Casanova added that self-regulating strategies like meditation can help calm the body’s fight-or-flight response, especially when the sympathetic nervous system is activated. —Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2024

Adjective

The store was calm, organized, well stocked, and eerily normal. —Dylan Tupper Rupert, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2024

Van’s mom drinks, Taissa’s outward calm conceals a well of subconscious rage, and the two of them are also, by all appearances, still closeted. —Judy Berman, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun, Verb, and Adjective

Middle English calme, probably ultimately from Old Spanish calma, from Late Latin cauma heat, from Greek kauma, from kaiein to burn

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing calm

• calm, cool, and collected
• cool/calm head
• the calm/lull before the storm

Kids Definition

calm

1 of 3 noun

ˈkäm  ˈkälm 

1

a

: a period or state of freedom from storm, wind, or rough water

b

: complete lack of wind or the presence of wind of no more than one mile (1.6 kilometers) per hour

2

: a state of freedom from excitement or disturbance : peacefulness

calm

2 of 3 verb

: to make or become calm

calm

3 of 3 adjective

1

: marked by calm : still

a calm sea

2

: free from excitement or disturbance

a calm manner

calmly adverb

calmness noun