calm

First recorded in 1350–1400; (noun and adjective) Middle English 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” (see caustic); (verb) Middle English calmen, from Italian calmare, derivative of the noun

synonym study for calm

3. 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.

OTHER WORDS FROM calm

calm·ing·ly, adverbcalmly, adverbcalmness, nounquasi-calm, adjective

quasi-calmly, adverbun·calm, adjectiveun·calm·ly, adverbun·calm·ness, noun

Words nearby calm

call to quarters, call-up, call upon, callus, call waiting, calm, calmative, Calmette, calmodulin, calmy, Caló

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use calm in a sentence

Since many of us will be homebodies this season, here are some ways to keep cool, calm and collected in your own space.
8 Summer Must-Haves for Keeping Cool|Joy Nesbitt|July 4, 2020|Ozy
We are redoubling our efforts to keep the beaches and local businesses open, and get to a sense of calmer waters, but July 4 weekend will look a bit different this year.
Safety first this July 4th|Lee Ann Wilkinson|July 4, 2020|Washington Blade
A few days later, he let me row through some baby rapids, telling me where to aim the boat, giving me calm instructions to adjust the trajectory a little left or a little right.
The Eye-Opening Month I Spent Rafting the Grand Canyon|Brendan Leonard|June 30, 2020|Outside Online
This is sort of a game but it’s mostly a way to calm yourself down since there’s not really any way to lose or compete.
This Weekend: See Your World in Rainbow Colors|Fiona Zublin|June 26, 2020|Ozy

Wholesome, positive –if not strange and mindless– content has become a balm to cure our anxiety, making it a great way of communication, a form of self-care that fills a void and provides a sense of calm that sheet masks and sourdough cannot.
Chaotic communication: COVID-19 is rewriting our cultural rules of connection|Megan Routh|June 11, 2020|Search Engine Watch
The government continues to call for calm while warning people to be on their guard.
France’s Wave of Crazy-Terror Christmas Attacks|Christopher Dickey|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione asked residents to remain calm, amid fears of unrest.
Jihadi Siege in Sydney Ends in Gunfight|Courtney Subramanian, Lennox Samuels, Chris Allbritton|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The drama transfixed the normally calm Sydney, known for its laid-back vibe and relaxed population.
Jihadi Siege in Sydney Ends in Gunfight|Courtney Subramanian, Lennox Samuels, Chris Allbritton|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He allows the subject to float over to Hitchcock with a calm directness that I admire.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A doctor comes to his house and gives him shots of cortisone to calm the arthritic pain in his knees.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This treacherous sort of calm, we thought, might forbode a storm, and we did not allow it to lull us into security.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
The expression of his features was calm and composed, and his eyes were raised to heaven with a look of hope and supplication.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
That the weather being calm, he rowed round me several times, observed my windows and wire-lattices that defenced them.
Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift
She was putting her papers tidy again with calm fingers, while his own were almost cramped with the energy of suppressed desire.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
The kites soared, and the boats rushed swiftly over the calm and glittering sea.
The Giant of the North|R.M. Ballantyne

British Dictionary definitions for calm

calm

/ (kɑːm) /

adjective

almost without motion; stilla calm sea

meteorol of force 0 on the Beaufort scale; without wind

not disturbed, agitated, or excited; under controlhe stayed calm throughout the confusion

tranquil; serenea calm voice

noun

an absence of disturbance or rough motion; stillness

absence of wind

tranquillity

verb

(often foll by down) to make or become calm

Derived forms of calm

calmly, adverbcalmness, noun

Word Origin for calm

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

calm

OTHER WORDS FOR calm

OPPOSITES FOR calm

Origin of calm

synonym study for calm

OTHER WORDS FROM calm

Words nearby calm

Words related to calm

How to use calm in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for calm

Derived forms of calm

Word Origin for calm