calm
Americanadjective
-
calmer,
comparative
-
calmest
superlative
-
without rough motion; still or nearly still.
a calm sea.
- Synonyms:
- motionless, quiet
-
not windy or stormy.
a calm day.
- Antonyms:
- tempestuous
-
free from excitement or passion; tranquil.
a calm face;
a calm manner.
- Synonyms:
- self-possessed, serene, unruffled, placid
- Antonyms:
- agitated
noun
-
freedom from motion or disturbance; stillness.
-
Meteorology. wind speed of less than 1 mile per hour (0.447 meter per second).
-
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)
-
calms,
present (3rd person singular)
-
calmed,
past participle, past
-
calming
present participle
verb (used without object)
-
calms,
present (3rd person singular)
-
calmed,
past participle, past
-
calming
present participle
idioms
adjective
-
almost without motion; still
a calm sea
-
meteorol of force 0 on the Beaufort scale; without wind
-
not disturbed, agitated, or excited; under control
he stayed calm throughout the confusion
-
tranquil; serene
a calm voice
noun
-
an absence of disturbance or rough motion; stillness
-
absence of wind
-
tranquillity
verb
Usage
What does calm mean? Calm describes something that is still or barely moving, like a pond or a lake. Calm can also describe something that is relaxed or free from excitement, as in Yolanda felt calmer after meditating for a few minutes. Calm can also be used to describe the weather. A calm day isn’t windy or stormy. In meteorology, calm is a wind speed that is less than 1 mile per hour. As a noun, calm typically describes a lack of motion or a stillness in an area where there once was motion or there will be motion. Calm can also describe a notable lack of excitement or agitation that was expected to be caused, as in Roberta believed the only way to approach a big task was with calm and patience. Finally, as a verb, to calm something or someone means to bring it to a pause. You might calm your barking dog by petting it and talking to it in a soothing voice. You might calm an angry friend by talking with them quietly and listening to what’s bothering them. Example: When you feel nervous in front of a crowd, try to look calm and you’ll soon feel calm.
Synonym Usage
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 Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Adjectives
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
calmsimple
-
calmssimple
-
have calmedperfect
-
has calmedperfect
-
am calmingprogressive
-
are calmingprogressive
-
is calmingprogressive
-
have been calmingperfect progressive
-
has been calmingperfect progressive
Past
-
calmedsimple
-
had calmedperfect
-
was calmingprogressive
-
were calmingprogressive
-
had been calmingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of calm
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” ( see caustic); verb derivative of the noun
Explanation
Just saying the word calm reminds you of how it feels to be calm — steady, at rest, not agitated, chilled out, caaaaalllmmmm. Waters without waves? People without drama? Sounds calm. Some synonyms of the adjective calm are peaceful and even-tempered. As a verb, it describes making someone steady and still — in other words, calm. Taking a walk or calling a friend might help you calm down when you are upset. As a noun, calm is a state of peace or stillness — the calm of your neighborhood at daybreak or the calm you seek when you exercise.
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.
See Examples For:
Regional and international observers described the election day as largely peaceful and urged all sides to remain calm and respect the official process.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
Root, England's greatest batter and a veteran of 166 Tests, said he hoped his "natural persona" is suited to bringing a sense of calm to the men's national team.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
Yemen's years-long civil conflict killed tens of thousands of people, uprooted millions and drove the country to the brink of famine before a 2022 truce restored relative calm.
From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026
The Aegean Sea appeared calm as Austin Croteau waited to board her ferry.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
Somehow he had to mask his abject terror with a look of calm courage.
From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith
“The center of social gravity has moved from the nightclub to the workout, the class and the calmer room.”
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026
Stocks ended the week lower after volatility gave way to a calmer Friday.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026
The ceramic work in other bathrooms is calmer, but the backyard amps the look with the pool’s fountain and spa.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
She eventually settled her debts and says she feels much calmer as a result.
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026
She's much calmer now that we've had the sandwich.
From "The Sky at Our Feet" by Nadia Hashimi
Somehow, Root remained the calmest man on Vulture Street to deliver a moment that will endure regardless of the result.
From BBC ● Dec. 4, 2025
But the abrupt end of the calmest stretch in years rattled traders and left many betting that the swings will continue.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2025
Tesla is a silly company in stock market terms, even in the calmest of times.
From Slate ● Jul. 8, 2025
The calmest of stars was certainly feeling something, because he attacked Friday as if unleashed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 13, 2024
“If you please,” she said, summoning her calmest tone, “would someone bring me my copy of Edith-Anne Gets a Pony ? It is on the bookshelf, in its usual place.”
From "The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book I: The Mysterious Howling" by Maryrose Wood
He even calms people that think they don’t like dogs.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026
“When everything calms down and slows down a little bit, I need to get my hearing checked out,” Ganfield said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026
"I thought I would lay low for a while and seek new employment once the situation calms," said Musa Hashimi, who worked as a machinist in a textile factory.
From Barron's ● Jul. 3, 2026
Her approach, it was claimed, "inflames rather than calms a situation" and "creates a culture of fear and anxiety".
From BBC ● Feb. 17, 2026
As my heart calms down, as my breath softens, I get up to work on my altar.
From "American Street" by Ibi Zoboi
“As soon as Friday evening rolled around, the fighting picked up, but by Sunday night and futures opening, things had calmed down.”
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 29, 2026
Fighting calmed down on Sunday as Israel asked its military to reduce combat operations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 21, 2026
“We need to be more decisive; the win has calmed the nerves we’ve had over the last few days,” Mexico defender Israel Reyes said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026
"Their last meeting is what calmed tempers," she said.
From Barron's ● Jun. 9, 2026
Mamá understood and calmed him down every time.
From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez
"It was very calming, very emotive at the right time. There are songs on there that did really blow me away."
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026
These efforts appear to have had little effect in calming markets, illustrated by this week’s sharp swings.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
By calming excessive smooth muscle activity, it could potentially help people with diarrhea-predominant IBD.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 30, 2026
Maybe this works, with the injection calming the knee long enough to get Ohtani through the season, or with the irritation waning.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2026
When he felt the world tilting, Nathan took a few calming breaths.
From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young
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.
