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calm Definition

calm (käm)

noun

  1. lack of wind or motion; stillness
  2. lack of agitation or excitement; tranquillity; serenity
  3. Meteorol. a condition in which the air movement is less than one mile per hour

Etymology: ME & OFr calme < OIt calma < LL (Vulg.: Job 30:30) cauma, heat, heat of the day (hence, in It, time to rest, quiet: see siesta) < Gr kauma, heat, esp. of the sun < kaiein, to burn; It sp. infl. by L calere, to be hot

adjective

  1. without wind or motion; still; quiet
  2. not agitated or excited; tranquil or cool

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to make or become calm: often with down

calm Related Forms

calm′ly adverb calm′·ness noun

calm Synonyms

calm

modif.

  1. Said especially of persons

    cool, composed, collected, serene, tranquil, sedate, levelheaded, coolheaded, impassive, detached, unmoved, aloof, unconcerned, disinterested, incurious, unaroused, unimpressed, nonchalant, neutral, listless, gentle, amicable, peaceable, peaceful, placid, unanxious, unexcited, unperturbed, unruffled, unshaken, amiable, temperate, inoffensive, civil, moderate, self-reliant, confident, poised, self-possessed, relaxed, dispassionate, imperturbable, unexcitable, unflappable, even-tempered, mild, still, phlegmatic, philosophical, self-controlled, patient, untroubled, cool as a cucumber*, with ice in one's veins*, without a nerve in one's body*, laid-back*; see also sense 2, dignified, serene, tranquil 1.

    Antonyms violent*, excited*, furious*. *

  2. Said often of things

    quiet, tranquil, serene, undisturbed, unruffled, in order, soothing, at peace, placid, smooth, still, restful, harmonious, bland, peaceful, pacific, balmy, waveless, windless, motionless, reposeful, stormless, halcyon, at a standstill, pastoral, rural, low-key, slow; see also sense 1; moderate 4, motionless 1, rural, tranquil 2.

    Antonyms rough*, agitated*, aroused.

calm, originally applied to the weather, suggests a total absence of, and often a contrast with, agitation or disturbance a calm sea, a calm, answer; tranquil implies a more intrinsic or permanent peace and quiet than calmthey lead a tranquil life; serene suggests an exalted tranquillity he died with a serene smile on his lips; placid implies an undisturbed or unruffled calm and is sometimes used disparagingly to suggest dull equanimity she looked on with placid unconcern; peaceful suggests a lack of turbulence or disorder a peaceful gathering

calm Synonyms

calm

n.

  1. Peace

    stillness, lull, quiet; see peace 2, rest 1, 2, silence 1.

  2. Composure

    serenity, tranquillity, peace of mind; see composure, patience 1, restraint 1, tranquillity.

calm Synonyms

calm

v.

tranquilize, soothe, pacify; see quiet 1, soothe.

calm Usage Examples

Object

  • storm: He can walk on water, calm the storms ( natural ones!
  • measure: The planned 20mph traffic calming measures in East Bankton Place will be carried out in February.
  • fear: In light of these facts, attempts to calm public fears by simply denying the feasibility of molecular manufacturing will inevitably fail.

Converse of object

  • stay: No matter what happens we want our fans to stay calm.
  • remain: Trying to remain calm whilst slowly feeling I will go mad!

Preposition: after

storm: The time between Christmas Eve and New Year can seem like a strange calm after a storm.

Adjective modifier

  • monastic: In Andalucia, Moorish cloisters and monastic calm, a house with its own farm, out-of this-world views.
  • eerie: The year I left Belfast, 1999, Drumcree passed off with an eerie calm.
  • inner: It is an unique discipline to bring people into inner calm.
  • relative: I decide to shelter in the relative calm of the British Council stand in case the scene turns ugly.
  • flat: Monday 4 August Flat calm, warm & dry.

Modifies a noun

  • demeanor: He believes his calm demeanor is a sign of the times.
  • sea: Looking across the glassy calm sea at the mouth of Newhaven Harbor.
  • oasis: The water area, with its bamboo, grasses and hostas, provides a cool calm oasis.
  • exterior: What powers of sudden onslaught might not lie hidden within that calm exterior?
  • atmosphere: This area typified the calm atmosphere which was apparent right across the whole school.
  • weather: In calm weather the reserve must be a very nice dive indeed.

Followed by an intransitive particle

down: More tomorrow, maybe I'll have calmed down by then.

Followed by a transitive particle

down: She's a soldier just like you, calm down old boy.

Preposition: before

storm: At half time it was 1-0 but this was but the calm before the storm.