composed
Americanadjective
adjective
Related Words
See calm.
Other Word Forms
- composedly adverb
- composedness noun
- uncomposed adjective
- well-composed adjective
Etymology
Origin of composed
Explanation
The adjective composed describes someone who is calm and shows no nervousness or agitation. You may be very upset about your brother’s unkind remark, but your composed face doesn’t give away your feelings. If you’re composed, that means you're free of emotion or nervousness — or at least you look that way. Composed typically describes an outward appearance, so you could be angry on the inside but still maintain a composed manner that hides what you’re really feeling. You’ll often hear the word used to describe someone who can keep everything under control during times of stress. You probably look composed even when you’re stressing out over your calculus exam.
Vocabulary lists containing composed
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
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Mellow Out: Synonyms for "Calm"
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Dragon Hoops
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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.
Fermi has established an interim office of the CEO composed of Chief Operating Officer Jacobo Ortiz Blanes and board advisor Anna Bofa.
From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026
Gen. John Brennan emerged from the plane on Tuesday, he was greeted by an army composed of two rival Libyan factions the American officer had coaxed into holding their first ever joint military exercises.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
Tyson Fury marked his return to the heavyweight mix with a composed points win over Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, before immediately turning ringside to call out long-time rival Anthony Joshua.
From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026
Here’s what the committee is trying to change: In North Carolina, the Disciplinary Hearing Committee of the state bar is currently composed of 26 members, including eight nonlawyers.
From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026
Kerr gave an encore performance of “Spagoni the Toreador” for oldtimes’ sake, but the greatest applause of the evening went to James, who composed a song he performed for the occasion:
From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong
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.
