Word of the Day

: November 25, 2011

placid

adjective PLASS-id

What It Means

: serenely free of interruption or disturbance; also : complacent

placid in Context

It was fortunate that the horse Meaghan was riding had a placid disposition and didn't try to bolt when the car backfired.

"Los Angeles was initially welcoming of them, as it is of anyone with money, but when it became clear that they were using one of the city's biggest franchises … to pay their personal expenses, among other shenanigans, the ire in the normally placid city exploded." -- From an article by Vanessa Grigoriadis in Vanity Fair, August 2011

Did You Know?

Like "placid," the words "calm," "tranquil," and "serene" all mean "quiet and free from disturbance." "Calm" conveys a quiet composure that contrasts with surrounding chaos, while "tranquil" suggests a very deep quietude and peace. "Serene" is loftier still, carrying a sense of utter peace and happiness. Though "placid" traces back to Latin "placēre," meaning "to please," it isn't always as positive a term as its synonyms. It can imply a lack of agitation rather than a true peace, and it sometimes suggests excessive self-satisfaction or even stupidity.