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

Since many of us will be homebodies this season, here are some ways to keep cool, calm and collected in your own space.

From 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.

From 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.

From 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.

From 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.

From Search Engine Watch

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

More About Calm

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.

Where does calm come from?

The first records of the term calm come from around 1350. It ultimately comes from the Greek kaûma, meaning “burning heat.”

You might hear a few common phrases that use the term calm. One is calm down, which means “to make or become less agitated.” When you’re upset over a low grade, you might calm yourself down by taking deep, slow breaths. Another is calm before the storm, which describes a situation in which someone or something is calm before becoming agitated, similar to how an atmospheric pressure and wind current can produce a calming environment just before a storm occurs.

Finally, you might hear keep calm and carry on. This popular phrase was used in a poster in the UK during World War II to help encourage people at home to live life as normally as they could. The phrase has become a popular meme, with a lot of different advice replacing “carry on,” such as “don’t advise me,” “scroll on,” and “read memes.” Our favorite, though, is “keep calm and eat cupcakes” because everyone deserves a treat sometimes!

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to calm?

• calmingly (adverb)
• calmly (adverb)
• calmness (noun)
• uncalm (adjective)

What are some synonyms for calm?

• cool
• harmonious
• placid
• serenity
• pacify

What are some words that share a root or word element with calm? 

• calmative

What are some words that often get used in discussing calm?

• de-stress
• peaceful
• weather
• water

How is calm used in real life?

Calm is a common word to describe a lack of excitement or upset.

Just a calm day off in new york with my family! wohoo

— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) December 2, 2012

I AM SO NERVOUS ITS SO PACKED I JUST LOOKED *calm down joanne*🙏 #joanneworldtour SOLD OUT ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🐾🐾🐾🐾

— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) August 2, 2017

Great fans at the airport, you guys were so calm and wonderful, thank you 😊🙏🏼❤️

— Ashton Irwin (@Ashton5SOS) August 18, 2016

Try using calm!

Is calm used correctly in the following sentence?

When I saw the spider, I remained calm by screaming and running away.