tranquil
Americanadjective
-
free from commotion or tumult; peaceful; quiet; calm.
a tranquil country place.
- Antonyms:
- agitated
-
free from or unaffected by disturbing emotions; unagitated; serene; placid.
a tranquil life.
adjective
Related Words
See peaceful.
Other Word Forms
- tranquilly adverb
- tranquilness noun
- untranquil adjective
- untranquilly adverb
- untranquilness noun
Etymology
Origin of tranquil
First recorded in 1595–1605; earlier tranquill, from Latin tranquillus “quiet, calm, still”
Explanation
When a place or your state of mind is peaceful, quiet and serene, it is tranquil. Like a pond with no ripples, tranquil means calm and placid. A pleasant state of mind, with nothing to agitate or cause anxiety, can also be considered tranquil. As you struggle through your yoga poses, the teacher might annoyingly exclaim how tranquil you should be feeling, and when you and your siblings bicker over every little thing, your parents are wishing the house were more tranquil.
Vocabulary lists containing tranquil
Unit 1: Telling Details
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
List 5
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 12–15
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When those four astronauts were so far from home, Earth became a tranquil, soothing sight.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026
“Exquisite and tranquil lands perfect for hiking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and more,” the listing said.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026
The sudden movement in an otherwise tranquil foyer was striking.
From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026
For a moment Tehran resembled a city at peace, with birdsong, joggers and tranquil views of the snow-capped Alborz mountains in the distance.
From Barron's • Mar. 7, 2026
His dignified compassion in the face of life’s challenges makes his music irresistible, even when it is tranquil.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
