calm

[ kahm, kahlm ]

adjective

, calm·er, calm·est.

1. without rough motion; still or nearly still:

   a calm sea.

   Synonyms: motionless, quiet

2. not windy or stormy:

   a calm day.

   Antonyms: tempestuous

3. free from excitement or passion; tranquil:

   a calm face;

   a calm manner.

   Synonyms: self-possessed, serene, unruffled, placid

   Antonyms: agitated

noun

1. freedom from motion or disturbance; stillness.
2. Meteorology. wind speed of less than 1 mile per hour (0.447 meter per second).
3. freedom from agitation, excitement, or passion; tranquility; serenity:

   We look forward to the calm of the island after the summer residents have all returned to the mainland.

   She faced the possibility of death with complete calm.

verb (used with object)

1. to make calm:

   He calmed the excited dog.

   Synonyms: soften, soothe, mollify, assuage, allay, tranquilize, quiet, still

verb (used without object)

1. to become calm (usually followed by down ).

calm

/ kɑːm /

adjective

1. almost without motion; still

   a calm sea

2. meteorol of force 0 on the Beaufort scale; without wind
3. not disturbed, agitated, or excited; under control

   he stayed calm throughout the confusion

4. tranquil; serene

   a calm voice

noun

1. an absence of disturbance or rough motion; stillness
2. absence of wind
3. tranquillity

verb

1. often foll by down to make or become calm

Derived Forms

• ˈcalmness, noun
• ˈcalmly, adverb

Other Words From

• calm·ing·ly adverb
• calm·ly adverb
• calm·ness noun
• qua·si-calm adjective
• un·calm adjective
• un·calm·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of calm¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English noun and adjective calm(e), from Italian calma (noun), calmo (adjective), from Late Latin cauma “summer heat” (with l perhaps from Latin calēre “to be hot”), from Greek kaûma (stem kaumat- ) “burning heat”; akin to kaíein “to burn” ( caustic ); verb derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of calm¹

C14: from Old French calme, from Old Italian calma, from Late Latin cauma heat, hence a rest during the heat of the day, from Greek kauma heat, from kaiein to burn

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. calm before the storm. calm before the storm ( def ).

Synonym Study

Calm, collected, composed, cool imply the absence of agitation. Calm implies an unruffled state, especially under disturbing conditions: calm in a crisis. Collected implies complete inner command of oneself, usually as the result of an effort: He remained collected in spite of the excitement. One who is composed has or has gained dignified self-possession: pale but composed. Cool implies clarity of judgment along with apparent absence of strong feeling or excitement, especially in circumstances of danger or strain: so cool that he seemed calm.

Example Sentences

The government continues to call for calm while warning people to be on their guard.

From The Daily Beast

Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione asked residents to remain calm, amid fears of unrest.

From The Daily Beast

The drama transfixed the normally calm Sydney, known for its laid-back vibe and relaxed population.

From The Daily Beast

He allows the subject to float over to Hitchcock with a calm directness that I admire.

From The Daily Beast

A doctor comes to his house and gives him shots of cortisone to calm the arthritic pain in his knees.

From The Daily Beast

This treacherous sort of calm, we thought, might forbode a storm, and we did not allow it to lull us into security.

From Project Gutenberg

The expression of his features was calm and composed, and his eyes were raised to heaven with a look of hope and supplication.

From Project Gutenberg

That the weather being calm, he rowed round me several times, observed my windows and wire-lattices that defenced them.

From Project Gutenberg

She was putting her papers tidy again with calm fingers, while his own were almost cramped with the energy of suppressed desire.

From Project Gutenberg

The kites soared, and the boats rushed swiftly over the calm and glittering sea.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• allay
• alleviate
• appease
• assuage
• cool
• mitigate
• mollify
• pacify
• placate
• quiet
• relax
• relieve
• settle
• soothe
• steady