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
Synonym Usage
See peaceful.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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
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List 5
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"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 12–15
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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.
But funnily enough, that specific scene was the most tranquil and quiet set I’ve experienced.
From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026
“A dedicated gym and wellness area, private studio/office, theater room, and an outdoor kitchen with a fire pit complete this residence, a true celebration of refined, tranquil living in an extraordinary setting,” the listing adds.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026
But during his all-too-brief lifetime, he was better known for his tranquil views of the Channel coast.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026
The sudden movement in an otherwise tranquil foyer was striking.
From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026
From the dining room window of Aunty Uju’s house, the lake shimmered, a blueness so tranquil that it held the gaze.
From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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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.