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

The final shot is of an old man peacefully looking at the beautiful Amrum ocean, perhaps showing the calm before a new storm. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 22 May 2025

For instance, for someone who finds that kind of calm in Middle Eastern landscapes, a scent could potentially become a memory. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025

Verb

Things calmed down for a while, but then the Redditor found a video that was particularly invasive. —Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 24 May 2025

The labor action does not constitute a nationwide strike or work stoppage, calming the fears of businesses that use Canada Post to ship mail and parcels after a previous month-long strike hampered the 2024 holiday season. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 23 May 2025

Adjective

Considered one of the state’s best beach towns, Biloxi is known for its picturesque sand and calm waters that are protected by barrier islands just south of the beach in the Gulf of Mexico. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 23 May 2025

But amid all of the tears and dancing and singing, from Freed From Desire on the pitch to Natasha Bedingfield’s Unwritten in the dressing room, stood one proud, calm man. —Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 22 May 2025

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

Rhymes for calm

• balm
• bom
• bomb
• dom
• halm
• hom
• malm
• mam
• mom
• palm
• pom
• pomme

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